Before the consultation, you should have done a lot of research on your plastic surgeon, viewed many photos, learned about his education and experience. Adequate communication during a consultation is obviously invaluable, and you should be able to communicate clearly and easily not only with your doctor, but also with your doctor's staff. Over the course of preparing for and recovering from aesthetic surgery, your doctor's staff will have an important and active role. Make sure that your interaction with the staff gives you confidence that you will receive the care and attention that you expect, and deserve, postoperatively. Verify that major surgical procedures are performed in an accredited surgery center and that anesthesia care is provided by board-certified M.D. anesthesiologists. Be confident enough to ask some `difficult' questions. Feel empowered to ask any physician questions like: What are your complication and reoperation rates for this procedure? Has a cosmetic surgery that you performed ever resulted in a lawsuit? Have you had any serious complications and unplanned hospitalizations after cosmetic surgery? Have you ever been disciplined by a state medical board? I am never offended by these kinds of questions, and no competent and qualified surgeon should be. In my opinion it is actually the savvy prospective cosmetic surgery patient who does this kind of `due diligence'. Take your time evaluating before and after images. Look closely at the belly buttons. Scars around the belly buttons or unnatural looking belly buttons shield be avoided.A consultation is an opportunity to find our more about the plastic surgeon and to determine if he understands your goals and if you believe he has the ability to provide you with the results you want. If you feel the answer is yes, you will need some health clearances and then can look at scheduling surgery.