Booking surgery in a city you have never visited raises a lot of questions. Will the surgeon understand your goals? Will you know your plan before you buy plane tickets? A virtual consultation answers many of those questions from home, so you arrive in Miami informed and confident. Here is what to expect when you meet Dr. Nidia De Jesus, MD, online before your trip.
What Is a Virtual Plastic Surgery Consultation?
A virtual consultation is a live video visit between you and the surgeon’s team. You discuss your goals, medical history, and the procedures you are considering, such as a tummy tuck, BBL, breast augmentation, or a mommy makeover. It is the same conversation you would have in the office, minus the physical exam, which happens in person once you arrive.
For out-of-state and international patients, this first step saves time and money. You learn whether you are a good candidate, what the surgery may involve, and what a realistic budget looks like before committing to travel.
Why Virtual Consultations Matter for Traveling Patients
You Get Answers Before You Book Flights
Many patients come to Miami from other states and countries. A video visit confirms that your goals match what the procedure can deliver, so there are no surprises later.
You Can Plan Your Time Away
Knowing your procedure and recovery needs lets you plan work leave, childcare, and your travel dates. Our recovery program is built around daily clinic visits, so you will want to plan your stay accordingly.
You Meet the Surgeon First
Trust matters. Seeing Dr. De Jesus, a board-certified plastic surgeon, and hearing how she approaches your case helps you decide whether she is the right fit. If you are still comparing options, read our guide on how to choose a plastic surgeon in Miami.
How to Prepare for Your Virtual Consultation
Gather Your Medical History
Write down current medications, allergies, previous surgeries, pregnancies, and any chronic conditions. Be honest and complete. Surgeons plan around your health, and accurate information is the foundation of safe care.
Take Clear Photos
The team may ask for photos in good lighting, from the front, side, and back, wearing form-fitting or minimal clothing. These help the surgeon give a more informed first impression. Photos are never a substitute for the in-person exam.
Write Down Your Questions
Bring a list. Common topics include candidacy, the technique used, scar placement, expected results, total cost, and what the timeline looks like from arrival to flying home.
Set Up Your Space
Find a quiet spot with a stable internet connection, a charged device, and good light. Having your companion join the call is a great idea, since they will be part of your recovery.
What Happens During the Call
- Your goals: what you want to change and why.
- Health review: screening questions about your history and lifestyle.
- Procedure overview: which options may fit and how they work.
- Recovery expectations: what each day after surgery looks like.
- Pricing and next steps: an overview of costs and how to schedule.
You can expect time to ask questions without pressure. No one should rush you into a decision.
What a Virtual Visit Cannot Do
A video call cannot replace a physical exam. Your surgeon needs to assess skin quality, fat distribution, muscle tone, and overall health in person. Final surgical planning, pre-operative evaluation, and your decision to proceed are confirmed when you arrive in Miami, before surgery. That is a feature, not a flaw: it protects your safety.
What Recovery Looks Like When You Travel
Dr. De Jesus’s recovery model is different from what many patients expect. You do not stay overnight in a facility. Instead, you attend the clinic daily during business hours, around eight hours a day, where you are seen in person by the surgeon every single day. Your care includes daily surgeon exams, seven lymphatic massages, and seven IV therapy sessions, all included.
Patients stay at the Best Western hotel directly behind the office (33134), which offers a free airport shuttle. You will need a companion, a family member or friend, for the first several days to help you at the hotel. Read our guides on traveling with a companion, traveling alone, and what to pack to prepare.
From Virtual Visit to Surgery Day: A Simple Roadmap
- Schedule your virtual consultation.
- Receive a procedure overview and a cost estimate.
- Complete pre-operative requirements and lab work as directed.
- Choose your surgery date and book travel and the Best Western hotel.
- Arrive with your companion for your in-person exam and pre-op visit.
- Have surgery, then attend daily clinic recovery visits until cleared to fly home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a virtual consultation free?
Dr. De Jesus offers free consultations. Call or email the office to confirm how to schedule your video visit.
Can I decide on surgery based on the virtual visit alone?
The virtual visit gives you a strong foundation, but your candidacy is confirmed through an in-person exam in Miami before surgery.
How soon after arriving in Miami can I have surgery?
This depends on your procedure and pre-operative requirements. The team will lay out the timeline for you during your consultation.
Do I need to bring someone with me?
Yes. A companion is needed for the first several days after surgery to help you at the hotel while you attend daily clinic visits.
Can I fly home right after surgery?
No. You will attend daily visits with Dr. De Jesus and be cleared by her before traveling home. Your team will advise on timing for your procedure.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Ready to take the first step from home? Call (305) 600-3736 or email info@nidiadejesusmd.com to book a free virtual consultation with Dr. Nidia De Jesus, MD. Our office is located at 51 SW 42nd Ave STE 105, Miami, FL 33134.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individual results and recovery vary. Every surgery carries risk; discuss yours with a qualified surgeon.