Thinking of Starting a Plastic Surgery Practice? Read This First.
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Blueprint
Online checklists make starting a plastic surgery practice look like a weekend project: lease a space, buy some lasers, market on Instagram and boom, you're profitable.
Reality check: What worked for one surgeon in Miami won’t necessarily work for a new practice in Minneapolis.
This is not a checklist. It’s a set of honest, critical questions to ask yourself before you commit to launching a plastic surgery start-up.
Do You Actually Want to Run a Business?
Owning a Practice Is Not Just Doing Surgery
Being a great plastic surgeon doesn’t automatically make you a great business owner. Are you ready to:
Hire and train a team?
Manage staff personalities and schedules?
Deal with payroll, vendors, and negotiations?
If not, a plastic surgery consultant can help you structure your practice in a way that makes sense for you, but it’s still your name on the door.
How Is Your Financial Foundation?
Be Brutally Honest About Money
Before you even search for office space, consider:
How’s your credit? You’ll need it for equipment financing and leasing.
Do you have savings? Startup costs can reach $250K–$500K before you turn a profit.
Can you survive the ramp-up? Insurance reimbursements and new patient consults don’t pay overnight.
If you’re currently in an employed role, are you ready to take a pay cut? Dig into the numbers and confirm what you have to make.
If your credit history is shaky, or you’re relying entirely on loans, you may want to pause and plan instead of powering ahead.
What Kind of Practice Do You Actually Want?
The Practice You Build Should Fit Your Lifestyle
Think about:
Do you want a solo practice or a group setting?
Would you rather do mostly reconstructive, cosmetic, or both?
Do you want to operate in an ASC, a hospital, or in-office?
Your decisions affect staffing, scheduling, pricing, and even your practice management consulting strategy.
Who Is Helping You?
Plastic Surgery Consultants Are Not Just for Big Practices
Even at the idea stage, a plastic surgery consultant can help you avoid costly mistakes. You may want a professional team that includes:
Legal counsel (contracts, leases, entity formation)
CPA with medical practice experience
Plastic surgery consultants who understand the real-world logistics of launching
Marketing company with experience with new practices
Many physicians wait too long to bring in help, often until they’re overwhelmed. Don’t be that person.
Marketing Starts Before You Open
If you think marketing starts after your first surgery post goes live, think again. A plastic surgery start-up needs a digital presence early; yes, even before opening.
Things to plan:
Your brand identity: colors, voice, logo
Website and SEO
Google Business Profile setup
Social media content strategy
This is another area where choosing the right professional team can make your life easier.
Final Thoughts: Be Real With Yourself
Starting a plastic surgery practice is an incredible opportunity but it’s also a business. Before you sign a lease or hire a receptionist, ask yourself:
Do I have the financial stability to make this work?
Am I ready to lead and manage a team?
Do I know who to turn to for expert advice?
If you can’t confidently answer yes, don’t panic. The best time to plan is before you leap.
Need Guidance?
You didn’t go to med school to become a billing expert, web designer, or HR manager. You’re not supposed to do it all, just make sure you have the right people in your corner. Whether you're in the early idea phase or just weeks from launch, working with a team that understands plastic surgery start-ups can save you time, stress, and money.
Let’s talk about what makes your practice different and how we can help it succeed.
PS² supports the growth of the specialty by working exclusively with board-certified plastic surgeons because protecting the profession starts with supporting the right people.
Not ready to talk? Take a look at our How to Start a Plastic Surgery Practice: The Quick Start Guide (2025)