I’d like to consult with you regarding a neck lift and whether or not it is the right procedure for me

Question: I’d like to consult with you regarding a neck lift and whether or not it is the right procedure for me. Do you charge a fee for consultation?

Answer: I think it’s great that you’re thinking about having a neck lift. Surgical consultation is very important as this is a time when I can meet with the patient and ask them what changes they desire. Quite frequently patients may have read through the news media about the procedure and may think this is a quick procedure for them. However, they do not have the benefit of traveling to international conferences, talking with experts in the field, and actually having done the procedures to know whether or not what is advertised in the media is what the procedure can actually deliver. Quite often patients will come to my office with the desire for one procedure that they think will improve their appearance, but on careful examination and a review of their history, another procedure will be far more beneficial and may even be more cost effective. For this reason, the consultation is an essential part of determining whether or not the patient needs to have surgery and requires a great deal of time, effort and knowledge. For this reason, there is a certain fee for consultation. However, my policy is that if any patient schedules a major facial plastic procedure with me, the consultation fee will be deducted from that final fee. Patients are very happy with this result because they have a very detailed consultation which helps them decide on how to best achieve their aesthetic goals.