Your Plastic Surgery Consultation
You might be picturing a quick visit. Say what you want to change. Walk out with your surgery date. While that is certainly part of the discussion, there is more to a consultation for you to consider.
Your first plastic surgery consultation is one of the most critical steps in your aesthetic journey. It is a two-way in-depth conversation where you ask the questions you've been holding onto, understand what the procedure and recovery actually look like, and talk through the results you have in mind. Think of it as an interview. You want to know you're in good hands. Your surgeon wants time to understand you, your anatomy, and what you hope to change.
A little preparation changes how much you get out of the hour. Here's what to do before you walk in.
Your First Plastic Surgery Consultation: What to Expect at Amavi
A plastic surgery consultation at Amavi Aesthetic Surgery in Denver is a 75-minute, in-person visit with Dr. Aline Rau that covers candidacy, technique options, recovery, scarring, and realistic expectations for the procedure you're considering. The visit begins two business days before, with four intake forms (General Intake, Financial Policy, HIPAA, Photo Consent), and ends with an estimate tailored to your specific needs.
You’ve had this on your mind long enough that it’s finally time to do something about it. You’ve done the initial research you've finally booked your plastic surgery consultation. Now, the question is what to actually expect during your visit.
Most women picture a consultation as a quick meeting: point to what you want, agree to a date, and leave. A real consultation is closer to an interview. You're evaluating whether a surgeon is the right partner for one of the most personal decisions you'll make about your body. Dr. Aline Rau is evaluating whether the procedure you're interested in is the right one for your anatomy. How you prepare for that consultation shapes everything that comes next.
Here's what your first visit to Amavi Aesthetic Surgery actually looks like, from the paperwork in your inbox to the moment you walk back to your car.
Before You Book a Plastic Surgery Consultation in Denver: One Credential to Verify
Before you book a plastic surgery consultation in Denver, at Amavi, or anywhere else, verify one thing: is the surgeon board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)? It gets confusing because a lot of people say they're "board certified" in general, or they're part of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. That sounds almost the same, but it’s not actually recognized by the official medical boards. It’s a distinction that actually matters a lot.
Dr. Aline Rau is ABPS-certified. If you're vetting a plastic surgeon yourself, ABPS certification can be verified directly through the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Fellowship-trained. Women-led.
Fellowship-trained in aesthetic surgery
A fellowship is a year of additional, specialized training that follows plastic surgery residency. It is not required to perform aesthetic procedures, and most plastic surgeons in practice today did not complete one. Dr. Aline Rau deliberately spent that additional year focused on aesthetic technique, judgment, and outcomes.
One of the few women-owned plastic surgery practices in Denver
What that means in the room is harder to describe than it is to feel. The chaperone. The draping. The rhythm of how questions are asked. The absence of upsell pressure. Women patients tell us they notice the difference within the first ten minutes.
What To Do Before Your Visit
The important work of a good consultation actually happens before you walk in. A little prep ahead of time makes the 75 minutes much more useful, and the decision on the other side much less stressful.
Before You Arrive: Forms Due Two Business Days Prior
After booking your consultation date, four forms land in your inbox. They need to be completed before you walk in.
A credit card on file is required to book your consultation: We typically collect this during the booking call. If, for any reason, that doesn't happen, you won't be able to access all four forms until your card is added to your file. Credit card details must be on file at least two business days before your consultation date.
General Intake: Your medical history, current medications, prior surgeries, and the procedure (or procedures) you're considering.
Financial Policy: Acknowledgment of consultation fees, deposits, and payments.
HIPAA: Standard privacy acknowledgment. It outlines how your records are protected and who has the right to access them. Read it. Sign it. Ask if anything looks unfamiliar.
Photo Consent: Permission for the clinical team to take standardized photos before your consultation. They are not used externally unless you separately consent to that, in writing.
If your forms aren't completed at least 2 business days prior, your appointment may need to be canceled or rescheduled. The Amavi team will reach out if anything is outstanding.
Four forms due two business days prior
Completing these in advance lets your visit be a conversation, not an intake interview.
Credit card on file required
A credit card on file is required to book your consultation. We typically collect this during the booking call. If for any reason that doesn't happen, you won't be able to access all four forms until your card is added to your file. Credit card details must be on file at least two business days before your consultation date.
-
General Intake
Medical history, medications, prior surgeries, and the procedure(s) you're considering. Be specific in the "what brought you in" field.
-
Financial Policy
Acknowledgment of how consultation fees, deposits, and balances are structured at Amavi. Not a surgical contract.
-
HIPAA
Standard privacy acknowledgment outlining how your records are protected and who has access.
-
Photo Consent
Permission for clinical before photos used in surgical planning. Not shared externally without separate written consent.
If your forms aren't completed two business days prior, your appointment may need to be rescheduled. The Amavi team will reach out if anything is outstanding.
What to Bring to Your Plastic Surgery Consultation
Arriving with everything organized ensures we can have a focused and efficient conversation. This information is vital for Dr. Aline Rau to tailor her recommendations safely to your specific needs.
Documentation and Records
A comprehensive medication list: Include all prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, and supplements. Please be sure to list any self-obtained medications, such as GLP-1s, and include the specific dosages for everything.
Past medical records: If there are imaging reports, surgical summaries, or specialist notes related to the procedure you are considering, please have them available for our review.
Photos and Inspiration
Feel free to bring in inspiration photos, which are often called "wish pictures", that represent your aesthetic goals. Just keep in mind they’re more about inspiration. We’ll look at them together to figure out what’s realistically achievable for you.
A few useful extras
A notebook or your phone: It’s a good idea to have something ready for note-taking. We’ll be discussing quite a bit, and having your own notes to look back on is really helpful.
Your list of questions: Have them ready on paper or on your phone. During the consultation, it’s easy to forget a thought when you’re focused on all the new information.
A Note on Your Timeline
During your consultation, Dr. Aline Rau will ask whether you have a timeline in mind. There's no wrong answer, including "I don't know yet." Some patients are working backward from a specific event. Others just know it's time. Share what you've got.
Your timeline matters because everything else gets planned around it. Dr. Aline Rau's calendar usually has patients booked months out, so the more flexible you are on dates, the more options you'll see. Most procedures require 2 to 4 weeks of recovery. Some, like a mommy makeover or a tummy tuck, may take longer. If you have a non-negotiable date in your life, share it. If you're flexible, share that too.
What Happens During Your Plastic Surgery Consultation
Knowing how the time spent during your consultation helps take the mystery out of things and makes it easier to ask what’s really on your mind. We suggest you arrive 5 to 10 minutes early so we can collect the last few details and anything else we may need for your visit.
Dr. Aline Rau designed the space herself. While you wait, soak in the details. They're meant to make you feel at home
Where we start: Your story
Dr. Aline Rau, our board-certified, aesthetic fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, starts by talking through what brought you in. This is your time to:
Explain what you’d like to change and the "why" behind it.
Share how long you’ve been thinking about doing this (whether it’s been months or years).
Tell her about the kind of look you’re looking for.
Mention if there’s anything physically bothering you, like back pain from heavy breasts.
Don't feel like you have to use medical terms; be open and honest. Our promise is discretion and for you to feel seen, heard, and understood.
The physical examination, if needed
Brief, focused, and respectful. This helps Dr. Aline Rau better understand your anatomy to determine the best surgical plan for you and identify any factors that may affect your results or how you heal.
Your Surgical Plan
Once Dr. Aline Rau gets a clear picture of your goals and your anatomy, she’ll walk you through the best way to get there. She’ll cover:
Leaning toward a certain technique. There are usually a few different ways to achieve a result, so she’ll explain why one specific approach is the right fit for you.
Exactly what the surgery involves. We’ll go over the details, including where the incisions will be made, how long the procedure will take, and what your recovery will look like.
Defining what you can expect. We’ll talk through what’s possible for you and how your natural anatomy plays a role in the process.
What to expect during your recovery
Dr. Aline Rau will walk you through what to expect after surgery. She’ll talk through the specifics, including:
The timeline for when you can get back to work, start exercising again, and return to your normal routine.
How we’ll handle pain and the best strategies to keep you comfortable.
The "dos and don’ts" for those first few weeks, and exactly how to take care of yourself.
The follow-up schedule on how you’re progressing.
What red flags to watch for and the best way to get in touch.
The long-term goal is to maintain your results, so they last as long as possible.
Gaining an understanding of your recovery helps you plan your time off, get some help lined up at home, and takes the guesswork out of the healing process so you can relax.
75 minutes. Four stages.
-
When you arrive
Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. We'll collect the last few details and anything else we need for your visit.
-
Meet Dr. Aline Rau
Dr. Aline Rau will ask about the procedure or treatment you came in for. Take your time answering.
-
Physical exam, if needed
Brief, focused, and respectful. Helps Dr. Aline Rau understand your anatomy and plan for your results.
-
The conversation
Dr. Aline Rau walks you through technique, recovery, and what to expect from your results.
Questions to Ask During Your Plastic Surgery Consultation
Not sure what you should be asking? Use this list as a starting point. Definitely have it nearby or stored on your phone during our chat so we can make sure every detail is covered.
What in my specific situation would make me not a good candidate for this procedure?
What technique would you recommend for my anatomy, and why?
Do you have before-and-after photos of patients similar to me?
Are there any risks for someone with my medical history?
Where would my surgery take place?
Will it be performed under general anesthesia or "awake"?
What does recovery look like, and when can I drive, work, exercise, lift my kids, and fly?
How long do results last?
What does follow-up care include, and for how long?
What is the total cost, and what does financing look like?
When can I schedule the procedure or treatment, and on what date?
Don't try to remember all of this.
Download the printable checklist. Every question above, plus space to write down your own and Dr. Aline Rau's answers during the visit.
Get Your Checklist →Frequently Asked Questions
-
In-person visit with a board-certified plastic surgeon (at Amavi, that's Dr. Aline Rau) covering candidacy, technique options, recovery, scarring, realistic expectations, and any alternatives, both surgical and non-surgical.
-
Yes. A second set of ears is helpful, especially for the technical details of recovery. Please limit it to one support person so the room stays focused.
-
The consultation fee is shared with you when you call to book. Reach the Amavi team to schedule a conversation.
-
Consultation length varies by practice. At Amavi, plan for 75 minutes. Arrive 5-10 minutes early and check in with our team, then the rest of the visit with Dr. Aline Rau.
-
Look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Not "board certified" in general, and not the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. ABPS-certified surgeons can be verified through the ABMS directory.
We can't wait to meet you
Think of your visit as a conversation. It is about making sure you are comfortable with the surgeon sharing your journey with you, from the operating room through your post-ops. Come ready with your photos and your notes, and don't hold back on the questions. You should leave the office feeling confident about what comes next.
Reach out to the Amavi team to set up your one-on-one with Dr. Aline Rau. We can't wait to help you start your aesthetic journey at Amavi!
Let's Meet