Clinically reviewed by Miss Sameena Hassan, FRCS (Plast), Plastic Surgeon.
You may have been thinking about a procedure for some time, or you may simply want to understand your options. Either way, a plastic surgery consultation is a chance to explain what concerns you and find out what treatment could realistically involve.
You do not need to arrive knowing which procedure you want. It can help to start with what you have noticed, how it affects you and what you would like to understand.
At Midland Health, you can discuss your concerns with Miss Sameena Hassan, FRCS (Plast), through our plastic surgery service in Birmingham. Here are some useful questions to take with you.
1. Is surgery appropriate for my concern?
Start with the concern itself rather than a procedure you have seen online.
You might ask: “What options would you recommend for me, and why?”
Your surgeon should assess whether treatment is likely to help and discuss alternatives, including taking no treatment. Surgery may be appropriate for some people and unnecessary or unsuitable for others. A recommendation to wait or consider another option is a useful outcome of the appointment too.
2. What result is realistic for me?
Explain the change you hope to achieve and ask what the procedure can and cannot address.
Useful questions include: “What improvement could I reasonably expect?” and “What might still concern me afterwards?”
3. What experience do you have with this procedure?
It is reasonable to ask how regularly your surgeon performs the procedure and what relevant training they have.
You can also ask who will carry out the operation and who will be responsible for your follow-up care. Before consenting to surgery, you should speak with the surgeon who will perform it.
The aim is to understand the people involved in your care and feel comfortable asking them questions.
4. What are the risks for someone like me?
Ask about the complications associated with the proposed procedure, how likely they are and how they would be managed.
Your medical history matters. Tell your surgeon about health conditions, medicines, previous operations and any difficulties you have had with healing or anaesthesia. Ask whether these affect your options.
Make space for the concern most important to you: “Where will the scars be?”, “Could sensation change?” or “What if I am unhappy with the outcome?”
5. Where would surgery take place, and what anaesthetic would I need?
Ask where your procedure would be performed, what the day would involve and whether you would go home afterwards.
Find out whether local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthetic is proposed, and why. Ask who will look after you during the procedure and whether you will need someone to collect you or stay with you afterwards.
These details help you understand the plan and make practical arrangements.
6. What would recovery mean for my everyday life?
Ask about recovery in terms of your own routine: work, driving, exercise, caring responsibilities and lifting children.
Useful questions include: “How much help might I need at home?”, “When could I return to work?” and “When would it be sensible to judge the result?”
Recovery and the time needed for results to settle vary between procedures and individuals. Your surgeon should explain what is likely in your situation rather than give a general promise of minimal downtime.
7. What aftercare is included, and who can I contact?
Find out how follow-up appointments are arranged and who will review your healing.
Ask for clear instructions about wound care, what is expected during recovery and which changes need medical attention. You should know who to contact with concerns, including outside normal opening hours, and what happens if further treatment is needed.
Having those details before surgery can make the recovery period easier to plan.
8. What is the full cost, and can I take time to decide?
Ask for a written breakdown covering the procedure, anaesthesia, facility fees, tests and aftercare, where applicable. Clarify any possible additional charges, including further treatment or revision surgery, and the cancellation terms.
You should have time to consider the information after your consultation. You can ask more questions, seek a second opinion or decide against surgery. An offer should never make you feel that you need to commit before you are ready.
Exploring your options at Midland Health
For a limited time, Midland Health is offering complimentary consultations with Miss Sameena Hassan for:
- Labiaplasty.
Any treatment or procedure is charged separately. The consultation is an opportunity to understand your options, with no obligation to proceed.
Visit our plastic surgery page for offer information, or contact our team to ask about an appointment.
