Michele Ross is a freelance writer specializing in beauty, wellness, and culture. Her work has appeared in Coveteur, Editorialist, GQ, Teen Vogue, VICE, and Well+Good, and she's crafted editorial content for brands including HUM Nutrition, Jones Road, Moon Juice, and Peloton.
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The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.who’ve pulled back the curtain on their cosmetic procedures. Add to that a growing pool of TikTok deep dives and Instagram before-and-afters from influencers and everyday folk, and cosmetic work has gone from an unspoken secret to booming public discourse. So if you’ve found yourself screenshotting rebuilt noses or bookmarking plastic surgeons with flawless feeds, you’re not alone. But preparing for anrequires going beyond inspiration alone. The real work begins when you actually book a consultation for yourself. A great body of work may spark interest, but what you discover in the surgeon’s office determines whether you’re really in expert hands or you should keep looking for a better provider.to share the must-ask questions every patient should bring to her or his consult. Plus, discover what reassuring answers sound like, and which responses are clear red flags. Bookmark these before you make that appointment and you'll be well on your way to making the best choice for you.“Even with board-certified surgeons, there are procedures that they frequently perform and others that they only do occasionally,” says, board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director of Clark Institute for Aesthetics in Orlando, Florida. Naturally, you’ll want to proceed with someone who knows the one you’re interested in, inside and out. The more experience they have with a given procedure, the more skilled they become and the more likely they are to continually improve their technique. This is also the moment to ask for plenty of before-and-after photos from their portfolio—outside of social media posting, if they do that sort of thing.Contrary to what you may think, a “yes” is actually a comforting answer. “If someone does a lot of this surgery, they should have seen complications,” says, board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. “And if they haven't, that either means that they're not doing enough of the surgery or they're lying to you.” A good surgeon should be able to talk you through all of the potential issues that they’ve seen, as well as how they addressed them, both in the operating room and withEven the most skilled surgeons deal with complications around surgery. The one you opt for should be able to give you a full lay of the land of what can potentially go wrong, as well as explain how they’d handle it. For example, complications from a. Less common but still possible is nerve damage. “Even if one in 2,000 patients has a true nerve injury, then you should tell patients it’s a possibility but unlikely to occur,” says Dr. Gould. Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.matters so you won’t be blindsided if everything doesn’t go exactly to plan. In that case, rest assured that it’s not always a doomsday scenario. “If most complications are taken care of in a timely and caring manner, the outcome can still be excellent,” says Dr. Clark. The doctor's answers should help to assuage your anxiety, even if they can't eliminate it entirely.You’ll want to find a surgeon that does a bit of hand-holding. For starters, your surgeon should discuss expectations, risks, and benefits of the procedure so you can give informed consent. You’ll also want your surgeon to see you post-surgery—usually the next day, or at least within the first week—to ensureDr. Gould sees patients the very first night. “This way, I can ensure that my procedure worked, that my injections of numbing medication were appropriate, and that they're able to walk and do other things,” he says. “I can also catch potential bad outcomes early on so we can intervene and improve them.”Dissolving My Lip Filler Was the Best Decision I’ve Made If the operating room is your last point of contact, that’s a problem. According to Dr. Clark, this is common with medical tourism and less reputable clinics, which risks poor or unsafe outcomes. “If no one is paying attention after surgery and you never see the doctor again, this is a big red flag,” he says. Your surgeon should be able to explain what can potentially go wrong, as well as how they’d handle it.The operating room isn’t the finish line. Basic aftercare might include a follow-up visit to ensure the procedure went well and you’re in the safe zone. Yet in some practices, aftercare is concierge-level. Additional treatments to expedite healing or support outcomes may include things like, topical medications, or even a night’s stay at a nearby hotel for the doctor to check in on you, says Dr. Gould. “If a doctor doesn't include any aftercare in the process, then they should be upfront with you so you can book your own, but there needs to be a conversation about that,” he continues.to improve skin quality. This could set you back another four-figures if it’s not included in your surgical fee. It’s crucial to know what the full scope of treatment looks like not only to promote optimal safety and healing but also so there’s no sticker shock later on.No surgeon can guarantee perfection, and anyone who implies they can should make you a little wary. “It's important to understand that you're only signing up for a surgeon to perform the procedure; you're not paying for the outcome,” says Dr. Gould. Asking about touch-ups or revisions—and how often the need occurs—is crucial, no matter if the issue lies with expectations, healing, or the surgery itself. “Sometimes a touch-up is necessary for even the best surgeons, but understanding how frequently it occurs and who would pay for it is important,” says Dr. Clark. Both he and Dr. Gould say that it’s common practice for the surgeon to waive their fee and only charge the patient for the cost of the operating room and anesthesia. A good surgeon should be comfortable and transparent about having this discussion. If they’re unclear or dismissive—or say that they never need to do follow-up procedures—consider it a warning sign.is becoming more widespread and less taboo, it’s still a medical procedure with real physical, financial, and emotional stakes. Going under the knife requires the foresight to ensure not only that a given procedure is right for you but also that you’re in capable hands. On top of asking the surgeons you’re vetting the right questions to gauge safety and fit, Dr. Clark says that it’s just as important to trust your gut. “There’s an intuitive sense of the doctor, the staff, and the office,” he says. “If it’s not a great fit, you’ll know it.”Dr. Clifford P. Clark III is a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of the Clark Institute for Aesthetics, known for his expertise in facelifts, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty. As medical director, he has created a premier aesthetic destination grounded in safety, privacy, and elevated patient care. His work is defined by natural, transformative results and a meticulous, personalized approach.Dr. Gould is a Beverly Hills board-certified plastic surgeon internationally recognized for natural, lasting results in deep-plane facelifts, regenerative rejuvenation, and advanced body contouring. Blending artistry with regenerative science, he restores youthful structure and skin quality through his signature approach, helping patients look refreshed—never overdone—with outcomes that last. Dr. Gould attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, received his PhD in Bioengineering at Rice University , completed his medical residency at the University of Southern California and fellowship via the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at the top cosmetic surgery fellowship in Beverly Hills. Michele Ross is a freelance writer specializing in beauty, wellness, and culture. Her work has appeared in Coveteur, Editorialist, GQ, Teen Vogue, VICE, and Well+Good, and she's crafted editorial content for brands including HUM Nutrition, Jones Road, Moon Juice, and Peloton. She's grateful to cover her many interests, including self-care, skincare, mental health, travel, and Korean culture. Ever the wanderer, Michele is currently a digital nomad by way of LA, Tel Aviv, and NYC. She graduated from The New School with a BA in literary studies and is certified to teach Vinyasa yoga.
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