Choosing to pursue plastic surgery is a significant decision, and the consultation is where that journey begins. Whether you visit Dr. Durand’s Brickell office in person or connect through a virtual consultation from anywhere in the world, this initial meeting establishes the foundation for your entire surgical experience — from understanding your options to developing a customized treatment plan designed to achieve your goals.
Dr. Paul Durand is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who personally conducts every consultation. Trained at the Cleveland Clinic — where he participated in the first face transplant performed in the United States — and fellowship-trained at the prestigious Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, Dr. Durand brings exceptional expertise to each patient interaction. He believes that informed patients make the best decisions, and he dedicates the time necessary to ensure you understand your options, feel comfortable asking questions, and leave with clarity about your path forward.
Building a Relationship Before Building a Surgical Plan
“The consultation is not just about evaluating anatomy — it’s about understanding who you are and what you want to achieve,” explains Dr. Durand. “I need to understand your goals, your lifestyle, and your expectations before I can recommend the right approach. This conversation is the foundation of everything that follows.”
Dr. Durand’s patient-centered philosophy means that consultations are never rushed. Whether conducted in person or virtually, each meeting provides ample time for thorough evaluation, open discussion, and honest guidance. Patients consistently note that they feel heard, respected, and genuinely cared for from the very first interaction.
In-Person Consultations in Miami
For patients who are able to visit Dr. Durand’s practice, an in-person consultation offers the most comprehensive evaluation experience. Held at his Brickell office in the heart of Miami, these consultations allow for detailed physical examination, hands-on assessment, and face-to-face discussion of your goals.
What to Expect During Your Office Visit
In-person consultations typically last forty-five minutes to one hour and include:
- Welcome and Intake: you will be greeted by Dr. Durand’s team and complete any necessary paperwork before meeting with the doctor
- Goal Discussion: Dr. Durand begins by listening to your concerns, understanding what you hope to achieve, and learning about any previous treatments or surgeries
- Physical Examination: a thorough evaluation of the relevant anatomy allows Dr. Durand to assess your unique characteristics and determine which procedures and techniques will best achieve your goals
- Treatment Recommendations: based on your goals and anatomy, Dr. Durand explains your options, discusses the benefits and limitations of each approach, and provides his professional recommendation
- Visual Aids and Imaging: when appropriate, Dr. Durand may use before-and-after photographs of previous patients or computer imaging to help you visualize potential outcomes
- Questions and Answers: ample time is provided to address all of your questions and concerns, ensuring you leave feeling informed and confident
- Next Steps: if you are ready to proceed, Dr. Durand’s team will discuss scheduling, preoperative preparation, and financial considerations
In-person consultations are ideal for patients who want the most thorough evaluation possible, prefer face-to-face communication, or are ready to move forward with scheduling their procedure.
Virtual Consultations for Distant Patients
Dr. Durand welcomes patients from across the United States and around the world. For those who cannot easily travel to Miami for an initial consultation, virtual consultations provide a convenient alternative that delivers personalized guidance without geographic barriers.
How Virtual Consultations Work
Virtual consultations are conducted via secure video conferencing and offer many of the same benefits as in-person visits:
- Scheduling: contact Dr. Durand’s office to arrange a virtual consultation at a time that works for your schedule, regardless of your time zone
- Photo Submission: before your appointment, you will submit photographs according to specific guidelines provided by our team. These images allow Dr. Durand to evaluate your anatomy and prepare for your discussion
- Video Meeting: during the consultation, you will meet with Dr. Durand face-to-face via video. He will review your photos, discuss your goals, explain your options, and answer your questions in real time
- Personalized Recommendations: Dr. Durand provides the same thoughtful, individualized guidance he offers in-person patients, including specific procedure recommendations and preliminary surgical planning
- Follow-Up Communication: after your virtual consultation, you will receive written information summarizing your discussion and outlining next steps
Virtual consultations are particularly valuable for patients traveling from out of state or internationally, those with busy schedules who want to explore their options before committing to travel, and patients seeking a second opinion on recommendations they have received elsewhere.
Preparing for Your Consultation
To make the most of your consultation — whether in-person or virtual — consider the following preparation:
- Clarify Your Goals: think about what bothers you most and what specific changes would make you happy. The more clearly you can articulate your goals, the better Dr. Durand can tailor his recommendations
- Gather Your Medical History: be prepared to discuss previous surgeries, current medications, allergies, and any medical conditions that might affect surgery or anesthesia
- Prepare Questions: write down any questions you want to ask so you don’t forget them during your appointment
- Bring Reference Images: if you have photos that illustrate the results you hope to achieve (or results you want to avoid), bring them to share with Dr. Durand
- Consider Your Timeline: think about when you would ideally like to have surgery and how much recovery time you can accommodate
Planning Your Trip to Miami
For patients who proceed with surgery after a virtual consultation, Dr. Durand’s team coordinates all aspects of your visit to Miami. This includes scheduling your preoperative appointment, surgery date, and follow-up visits in an efficient timeline that minimizes your time away from home. Many out-of-town patients complete their entire surgical journey — from preoperative visit through final follow-up — within one to two weeks in Miami.
What Happens During Your Evaluation
Regardless of whether your consultation is in-person or virtual, Dr. Durand follows a consistent approach to ensure thorough evaluation and clear communication:
- Understanding Your Goals: every consultation begins with listening. Dr. Durand wants to understand not just what you want to change, but why — and what outcome would make you feel that surgery was successful
- Reviewing Your History: your medical history, previous surgeries, medications, and lifestyle factors all influence surgical planning and are discussed in detail
- Assessing Your Anatomy: Dr. Durand evaluates the specific anatomical characteristics relevant to your procedure of interest, identifying both opportunities and potential challenges
- Explaining Your Options: based on his assessment, Dr. Durand presents the procedures and techniques most likely to achieve your goals, explaining the advantages and trade-offs of each approach
- Setting Realistic Expectations: honest communication about what surgery can and cannot accomplish is essential. Dr. Durand ensures you have a clear, realistic understanding of expected outcomes
- Addressing Your Concerns: whether you are worried about scarring, recovery time, anesthesia, or any other aspect of surgery, Dr. Durand provides straightforward answers
Frequently Asked Questions About the Consultation Process
-
Consultation fees vary depending on the procedure and type of consultation. Dr. Durand’s team will provide complete information when you schedule your appointment. For patients who proceed with surgery, the consultation fee is typically applied toward the cost of the procedure.
-
Yes. Dr. Durand personally conducts every consultation — both in-person and virtual. You will not be handed off to a patient coordinator or other staff member for your surgical evaluation.
-
Dr. Durand’s team will provide specific photography guidelines when you schedule your virtual consultation. Following these instructions carefully ensures that Dr. Durand has the images he needs to evaluate your anatomy accurately.
-
Absolutely. Many patients find it helpful to bring a spouse, partner, family member, or friend to their consultation. A second set of ears can help you remember the information discussed and provide support as you make decisions.
-
There is no pressure to make immediate decisions. Many patients take time to consider their options, discuss with family, or arrange financing before moving forward. Dr. Durand’s team is available to answer questions whenever you are ready.
-
Dr. Durand recommends scheduling your consultation several weeks to months before your desired surgery date. This allows adequate time for preoperative preparation, medical clearances if needed, and thoughtful decision-making.
Why Patients Trust Dr. Durand from the First Meeting
From the moment you connect with Dr. Durand — whether in his Brickell office or through a screen — you will experience the attentive, personalized care that defines his practice. His training at the Cleveland Clinic and Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute provided him with world-class surgical expertise, but it is his genuine interest in each patient’s well-being that sets the consultation experience apart.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Durand welcomes patients from Miami’s diverse community and from around the world. He takes pride in building relationships with his patients, understanding that trust and communication are just as important as technical skill in achieving excellent outcomes.
Schedule Your Consultation in Miami
Your journey toward looking and feeling your best begins with a conversation. Contact Dr. Paul Durand Plastic Surgery today to schedule your in-person or virtual consultation. Whether you visit his Brickell office in Miami or connect from across the globe, Dr. Durand and his team look forward to understanding your goals, answering your questions, and helping you take the first step toward achieving the results you envision.
Dr Durand is an excellent professional,! i had a deep plane face lift and i am very happy with the results. super natural, it didn’t change may expressions, nobody realize that i did this procedure, i only see myself with a younger look .my healing was great, you can’t see the incisions.( i am 7 months post op) The process was very smooth, the Dr dedicates all the time you need explaining you the process and he always available for any concern you may have. i had a great experience with Dr Durand! thank you Dr!
