La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre
9850 Genesee Ave Suite 130
La Jolla, CA 92037
Call: (858) 452-1981 Text: (858) 203-2944
M–F: 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
We understand that beginning your cosmetic journey in San Diego can feel both exciting and overwhelming! Whether you’re ready to dive into your transformation headfirst—or want to test the waters with some initial guidance—we’ve got you covered with flexible ways to get started.
Our knowledgeable, caring patient coordinators provide a welcoming, pressure-free opportunity to ask questions, understand what’s possible, and begin planning with clarity. Our goal is to give you a clear, personalized roadmap before you even step into our office for your complimentary surgical consultation.
We offer 3 ways to get started, so you can connect with our team in the way that feels most comfortable for you. No matter how you begin, you’ll receive the same attentive care and expert support.
Choose from these flexible options:
This approach is designed to give you comfort and clarity, empowering you to take your next steps with our board-certified surgeons with confidence and excitement for what’s to come!
Our patient coordinators are the caring experts who help you kick-start your journey. While your questions and goals always drive the initial conversation, our patient coordinators listen closely and provide personalized guidance in these areas:
This guidance doesn’t end after your first conversation, or even after surgery. Your patient coordinators remain a consistent point of contact—supporting you through scheduling, preparation, surgery, your recovery, and beyond.
Your in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon is the next phase of your journey. Let’s walk through what happens:
When you arrive at our location, one of our friendly front desk team members will welcome you and thoroughly review your personal and health information. We’ll invite you to relax in our comfortable living room and, if you’d like, enjoy a beverage. You’ll soon be joined by a dedicated patient care coordinator who will tell you a bit about our practice and give you all the information you need to know about your doctor and the consultation process.
Before meeting with your surgeon, an experienced and caring cosmetic surgery nurse will review your medical history with you to make sure we’ve got everything right. Then one of our highly skilled, board-certified surgeons, will join you. They’ll talk with you about your specific goals and the reasons you are considering cosmetic surgery. Your doctor will then examine you and recommend the best treatment options based on the results you’d like to achieve. You must be 100% honest about your medical history. Certain drugs interact with anesthesia, and some conditions can compromise the safety of surgery, so you could put your health at risk by holding back. We will keep your medical information private.
You’ll envision what’s possible by looking through plenty of before-and-after photos of people who have had similar procedures here at LJCSC. You’ll also get to “test drive” different surgical options using our advanced computer imaging technology. Looking for a little personal insight? Many of our team members have also had cosmetic surgery and are happy to give you a first-hand account of their experience.
You and your patient care coordinator will meet again to confirm your goals, answer any remaining questions, and go over a realistic estimate of your fee. And, if you like, they’ll be happy to help arrange a suitable payment or financing plan. If you decide to move forward, you’ll schedule your surgery for a time that works best for you. And if you need more time to decide, they’ll happily follow up whenever you’re ready.
It’s very important to our whole team that you leave with all your questions answered and feel confident that you’ll feel cared for and supported throughout the entire process.
Whether you’ve scheduled your surgery or are still considering it, we appreciate that you may have additional questions. Please know that we’re always happy to schedule a second consultation. And, of course, you’re welcome to call or text us anytime!
To make sure you have all the info you need to feel confident making your appointment, we’ve compiled A’s to a few of our most commonly asked consultation Q’s:
Your consultation is all about you. Consultations can be informative and even fun, but the main objective is to answer these two big questions:
As you meet with surgeons to discuss your options, remember your surgeon should always make you feel like a partner in your cosmetic surgery process. That’s exactly what you are!
This depends on a few things, such as the procedures you’re interested in as well as how many questions you have. It’s essential to take enough time to get a good feel for that surgeon’s knowledge, experience, and aesthetic vision. On average, we recommend allowing 1 to 2 hours for each consultation.
In addition to answering your questions about cosmetic procedures, you should be allowed enough time to discuss the following:
Bottom line: You shouldn’t feel rushed at any point during the consultation.
Your surgery center should introduce you to the main team members who will be involved in your care: patient care coordinators, your primary nurse, and, of course, your prospective surgeon. Everyone should be prepared for your arrival, and you should get the feeling that they are happy to see you.
As you move through the facility, take note of a few things:
You should definitely spend the bulk of your consultation time actually consulting with the surgeon who would perform your procedure. They should listen more than speak, show sincere interest in your reasons for considering surgery and your goals with surgery, and clearly explain all of your options.
While it’s common for plastic surgeons to offer free consultations, it’s a good idea to ask if there will be a fee to schedule an appointment. Every surgeon has a unique practice philosophy, and some feel they need to be compensated for any time spent with a patient.
In general, we think it’s in your best interest for your plastic surgery consultation to be free of charge. Here’s why:
Reputable plastic surgeons who do charge a consultation fee should credit that amount toward your cost of surgery, should you choose to have it with them. Just don’t let paying that $100 or so push you into choosing a surgeon you’re not sure about! Your results will be with you for a lifetime, so think long-term—pick the surgeon that is best for you, even if you have to let go of the money you spent on that consultation fee.
Only if you feel comfortable doing so. Keep in mind, if you are consulting about a breast or body procedure, it will probably be helpful for the surgeon to look at you, so they can better understand what you would like to change and suggest the best treatment options.
You should always have a nurse present during any physical examination. This is standard policy for all reputable plastic surgeons. If you feel uncomfortable at any point during a consultation, don’t be afraid to speak up or end the appointment.
That depends. For example, we offer breast augmentation patients a chance to have sample before-and-after pictures taken when you try on breast implants during your sizing session. This lets you see how you might look in clothing after your surgery. If you’re looking into facial contouring, we have a nifty computer imaging tool that lets you see your desired changes right before your eyes.
However, the first time you meet with a surgeon is usually not the time they will take “before” photos. After all, you haven’t made a final decision about surgery yet! After you’ve booked your procedure, expect to come back to the surgeon’s office for a pre-op appointment that will include your “before” photo session.
No. A plastic surgery consultation doesn’t include any bloodwork or other tests that may be routine for a doctor’s visit. What should take place is a thorough discussion of your medical history and any prescription or recreational drug use. Plastic surgeons don’t talk about this to judge you, but to ensure that you are clear about your personal risks with surgery.
In some cases, your surgeon might request that you have bloodwork or other tests completed, but they will probably refer you to your primary care physician or another specialist.
While you should feel free to ask any questions you need to get a sense of a surgeon’s skill and aesthetic eye, these five basic questions will help you gauge a surgeon’s experience with your procedure:
For more good advice on how to evaluate plastic surgeons and find the right one for you, check out this article from our own Dr. Hector Salazar!
We’ve got you covered by offering you the chance to speak with our friendly, knowledgeable patient coordinators first, before your in-person consultation with a surgeon. These trusted team members are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you explore your options—without any pressure. It’s a great way to gain confidence and feel informed before taking further steps.
Absolutely. They’re highly trained professionals with years of experience supporting patients through their aesthetic journeys at LJCSC. Not only do they have in-depth knowledge of our procedures, but they’ve observed them firsthand alongside our surgeons! Beyond being trusted and qualified, they’re passionate about helping you feel fully prepared for your next steps.
Yes, talking with a patient coordinator is a great starting point, but an in-person plastic surgery consultation at our practice is still an essential next step. Only a board-certified surgeon can evaluate your anatomy, discuss specific surgical techniques and options in detail, and create your personalized treatment plan.
We make it easy to take your next steps toward confidence with 3 convenient ways to connect with our team. In just a few clicks, you can call us now, book a call, or request a call back to explore options at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre—San Diego’s most awarded and trusted cosmetic practice!
