The Surgical Journey
From first inquiry to final result — five stages, each with its own rhythm.
Consultation
What Happens
A 60-90 minute conversation. Renata reviews your intake form, discusses your goals, performs a clinical assessment, and gives you an honest evaluation of what is achievable. This is a conversation about alignment — not a sales pitch.
How It Feels
Curiosity and careful research have brought you here. Most patients at this stage feel a mixture of excitement and the particular vulnerability of sharing something they have kept private.
What to Bring
Photos, written notes of what you want to change and what you do not want to change, questions.
Decision
What Happens
The period between consultation and committing to surgery. Review of the surgical plan. Pre-consultation imaging or measurements if applicable. The surgical consent process.
How It Feels
This is often the quietest stage — and sometimes the hardest. You know what you want. The decision is whether you are ready to take the next step.
What to Bring
Revisit the Patient Readiness Assessment, read the What I See page again, sleep on it.
Pre-Operative
What Happens
The weeks before surgery. Pre-op instructions: no smoking, medications to avoid, what to arrange at home. The pre-op appointment. What Renata and her team do to prepare.
How It Feels
Most patients feel a clarifying calm in the days before surgery. You have made the decision. The preparation is nearly complete. The anxiety, if present, is the productive kind.
What to Bring
Recovery space, time off, transportation, someone to stay the first night.
Surgery Day
What Happens
From arrival to recovery room. Anesthesia. The procedure itself. The first hours of recovery. Renata's office sends a brief personal note the morning of surgery.
How It Feels
The day you have planned for. By the time you are in the operating room, most patients feel ready.
The Morning
Nothing — everything has been arranged.
Recovery to Result
What Happens
The full arc from day one to month twelve. Each phase has specific physical expectations. Week two is the hardest week for most patients — swelling is significant, bruising is present, and the result is not yet visible. This is normal. This is healing.
How It Feels
Trust the process. This is the stage where patience is the most important thing you can bring. The result you planned for is underneath the swelling.
What Helps
Patience. Your recovery guide in the patient portal. Photos if you have concerns.