Questions to ask your plastic surgeon

Start with identity and relevant experience.

Ask:

• What is your full registered name?
• What is your recognized specialty?
• Where can I verify your registration?
• How long have you performed this procedure?
• How many of these procedures have you performed recently?
• Do you manage revision cases as well as primary cases?
• In which situations would you refuse or postpone surgery?

For Tunisia, verify the surgeon independently through the Conseil National de l’Ordre des Médecins rather than relying only on a clinic biography.

See Verifying surgeon qualifications.

A responsible surgeon should assess whether surgery is suitable, not just whether it is technically possible.

Ask:

• Am I a suitable candidate?
• Does my medical history change the plan?
• Does smoking or nicotine affect my risk?
• Does my weight affect the result or recovery?
• Do any medicines or supplements need to change?
• Is there a reason to delay?
• Is there a less invasive option?
• Is doing nothing a reasonable option?

A consultation that never discusses reasons to wait or decline is incomplete.

Ask the surgeon to explain the operation in ordinary language.

• What exactly will you do?
• Which technique do you recommend, and why?
• What alternatives exist?
• Where will scars be?
• Will drains, implants or compression garments be used?
• Are procedures being combined?
• How long will the operation take?
• What parts of the plan could change during surgery?

Do not accept a procedure name if you still do not understand what it means in practice.

Ask:

• What can this procedure improve?
• What will it not improve?
• What asymmetry may remain?
• How long will swelling distort the appearance?
• When is the result usually assessed?
• How can aging, weight change or pregnancy affect the result?
• What could lead to revision surgery?

Be cautious if the answer sounds like a guarantee.

Do not stop at “all surgery has risks.”

Ask:

• What are the most common complications?
• Which complications are serious even if rare?
• Which risks are more relevant to me personally?
• How do you reduce those risks?
• Which warning signs should I know?
• Which problems can be managed locally after I return?
• Which problems might require another operation?
• What happens if a complication occurs while I am still in Tunisia?

Prepare with Understanding risks and complications.

Ask:

• What type of anesthesia is planned?
• Who provides it?
• When am I assessed by the anesthesia professional?
• What fasting instructions apply?
• Which medicines should I stop or continue?
• Which anesthesia risks matter in my case?
• How are emergencies handled?

For a detailed checklist, see Questions about anesthesia before plastic surgery.

Ask:

• Where exactly will surgery take place?
• Is it the same facility named in my quote?
• Is there a recovery room?
• Is overnight observation possible?
• Who monitors me after surgery?
• What happens if I need higher-level care?
• Which hospital receives emergency transfers?

Verify the facility separately with Verifying a clinic in Tunisia.

Ask:

• How much pain, swelling and bruising are typical?
• When can I shower?
• When can I walk?
• How should I sleep?
• Which activities are restricted?
• Do I need a garment?
• Who changes dressings?
• Are drains or sutures removed before I leave Tunisia?
• What symptoms should make me contact the team?

Ask for the important instructions in writing.

Ask:

• How many nights do you recommend?
• Which follow-up visits must happen before I leave?
• What could extend my stay?
• Is the first night in the clinic or at accommodation?
• Is a companion recommended?
• What kind of transport is suitable immediately after surgery?

See How long to stay in Tunisia after surgery.

Ask:

• When do you consider me fit to fly?
• Do I need a final review before departure?
• What is my blood-clot risk?
• Do I need medical compression stockings or medication?
• Which symptoms should stop me from boarding?
• What should I do during a long flight?
• What happens if travel must be postponed?

See Return-travel questions after surgery.

Ask:

• Who do I contact after I return?
• Will you personally review postoperative concerns?
• Who reviews photographs?
• What is the usual response time?
• What happens at night or on weekends?
• Can you communicate with a clinician in my country?
• What happens if I need local treatment?
• What happens if I need to return to Tunisia?

See Communication after surgery.

Ask for the total price in writing.

Clarify whether it includes:

• surgeon;
• anesthesia;
• operating room;
• clinic stay;
• tests;
• medicines;
• garments;
• hotel;
• transfers;
• follow-up;
• revision.

Then ask:

• What is excluded?
• What can create extra costs?
• What if I need another test?
• What if I need extra nights?
• What if I need another operation?
• Is the deposit refundable?

Use the Curaatlas price hub to compare the scope behind advertised prices.

Ask before surgery:

• What does the revision policy cover?
• How long does it apply?
• Who decides whether revision is appropriate?
• Are surgeon fees covered?
• Are anesthesia and facility fees covered?
• Who pays travel and accommodation?
• What if I prefer treatment in my own country?

“Free revision” means little until exclusions are clear.

Before leaving Tunisia, ask what you will receive:

• discharge summary;
• operative report or procedure summary;
• prescriptions;
• test results;
• implant/device information where relevant;
• follow-up instructions;
• invoices.

CDC medical-tourism guidance recommends obtaining records before returning home.

Before signing, ask:

• What alternatives do I have?
• What happens if I do nothing?
• Can I change my mind?
• Can I keep a copy of the consent form?
• Will I receive written postoperative instructions?
• Is there time to think before surgery?

See Informed consent and written instructions.

If time is limited, ask these first:

1. How can I verify your registration and specialty?
2. How often do you perform this exact procedure?
3. Am I a suitable candidate?
4. What result is realistic?
5. What are the main risks for me?
6. What anesthesia is planned and who provides it?
7. Where exactly will the operation happen?
8. What does recovery look like?
9. How long should I stay in Tunisia?
10. When can I fly home?
11. Who handles complications?
12. Who follows me after I return?
13. What is included and excluded from the price?
14. What is the revision policy?
15. Can I have the plan, consent information and aftercare instructions in writing?