Patient Resources

Everything You Need in One Place

We’re committed to making every step of your experience as smooth and straightforward as possible. Whether you’re preparing for your consultation, planning for surgery, or recovering afterward, you’ll find helpful information and resources here.

Explore the resources below to learn more about various aspects of your care and what you can expect throughout your experience with our practice.

If you have additional questions, our team is always happy to help.

The Consultation Experience

It Begins with Listening

Every patient has a unique story, a different set of goals, and their own reasons for considering plastic surgery. Your consultation is an opportunity for an open, unhurried conversation about what you’d like to accomplish and how Dr. Stern can help you achieve it.

Every consultation begins with a conversation. Dr. Stern takes take the time to understand your concerns, answer your questions, evaluate your anatomy, and learn what matters most to you. Only then will she recommend the treatment – or combination of treatments – that she believes will most naturally and effectively help you achieve your goals.

A Comprehensive Evaluation

Your consultation is designed to provide a complete understanding of your goals, your anatomy, and the treatment options available to you. Dr. Stern will review your medical history, discuss your concerns, perform a careful examination, and, when appropriate, obtain clinical photographs to assist with planning and education.

Just as importantly, she’ll take the time to explain your options, answer your questions, and discuss the benefits, limitations, and expected recovery associated with each approach. Every recommendation is personalized, with the goal of helping you make an informed decision that’s right for you.

The consultation is never rushed. It is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and develop a treatment plan together, knowing every recommendation is thoughtful, individualized, and guided by your best interests.

Honest, Thoughtful Recommendations

Every treatment recommendation begins with a simple question: What is truly in this patient’s best interest?

Patient safety is the foundation of every recommendation Dr. Stern makes. During your consultation, she’ll carefully evaluate your goals, your anatomy, your overall health, and the outcome you’re hoping to achieve before recommending any treatment.

“One of the most important responsibilities I have as a surgeon is helping patients make the decision that’s right for them. Sometimes that’s the procedure they came in asking about. Sometimes it’s a different procedure, a non-surgical treatment, or a staged approach. And occasionally, it means explaining why surgery isn’t the safest or most appropriate choice. My commitment is to give you an honest recommendation based on my experience, my judgment, and what’s truly in your best interest.”

Dr. Stern believes every patient deserves thoughtful guidance, honest communication, and recommendations based on what will safely provide the best long-term outcome—not just the treatment that was initially requested. Her goal is for you to leave your consultation feeling informed, respected, and confident in your decision.

Planning Together

If you decide to move forward with treatment, the consultation is just the beginning of the planning process. Before surgery, you’ll return for a dedicated preoperative appointment where Dr. Stern and her team will review your surgical plan, discuss your recovery, answer any remaining questions, and make sure you feel fully informed and prepared.

Throughout this process, Dr. Stern and her team are committed to providing clear communication, thoughtful education, and responsive support. Our goal is for every patient to feel confident in their decision, understand what to expect before, during, and after surgery, and approach the day of surgery with reassurance rather than uncertainty.

Whether you choose surgery, explore a non-surgical treatment, or decide that now isn’t the right time, you’ll receive the same thoughtful recommendations, honest communication, and compassionate care that define every aspect of our practice.

Your Surgical Experience

Exceptional Care in a Comfortable, Private Setting

Choosing to undergo surgery is a significant decision, and where your procedure is performed is an important part of your experience. Dr. Stern performs surgery in her fully accredited private surgical suite, allowing patients to receive exceptional care in a warm, welcoming environment designed specifically for plastic surgery.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be cared for by a coordinated team that understands your surgical plan and is committed to making your experience as comfortable and reassuring as possible.

Safety Comes First

Patient safety is the foundation of every procedure. Dr. Stern carefully evaluates each patient to ensure surgery is appropriate and can be performed safely. Procedures are performed in a fully accredited surgical suite that meets rigorous standards for safety, quality, and infection control.

To provide the highest level of anesthesia care, Dr. Stern partners exclusively with a board-certified physician anesthesiologist. Together with an experienced surgical team that shares her commitment to compassionate, personalized care, they work to ensure every patient feels safe, supported, and well cared for throughout their surgical journey.

A Personalized Surgical Experience

One of the advantages of Dr. Stern’s private surgical suite is the ability to create a carefully coordinated surgical experience with a team that shares her commitment to safety, compassion, and attentive care. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be welcomed into a warm, professional environment where every detail is designed around your comfort, privacy, and well-being.

Every member of the surgical team was carefully selected because they share Dr. Stern’s commitment to patient safety, professionalism, kindness, and compassionate care. Together, they work to create an environment where patients feel comfortable, informed, supported, and confident throughout their surgical experience.

Our goal is simple: to provide outstanding surgical care in a setting where patients feel safe, supported, and genuinely cared for from the moment they arrive until they return home.

Recovery & Patient Care

Supporting You Every Step of the Way

Your experience with our practice is just as important to Dr. Stern as your surgical result. From your first consultation through your final follow-up appointment, every interaction is intended to reflect the same thoughtfulness, compassion, and attention to detail that define her approach to patient care.

Recovery is a partnership. While healing takes place over time, you should never feel like you’re navigating it alone. Dr. Stern and her team are committed to being responsive, accessible, and supportive throughout every stage of your recovery, providing the guidance, reassurance, and education you need along the way.

Healing Is a Process

Every patient’s recovery is unique. The amount of swelling, bruising, discomfort, and healing time varies depending on the procedure performed and your individual body’s healing process.
Throughout your recovery, Dr. Stern and her team will provide clear guidance about what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when it’s appropriate to gradually return to your normal activities. Our goal is to help you feel informed and supported at every stage of healing, while ensuring your recovery progresses as safely and comfortably as possible.

While swelling gradually resolves and your final results continue to emerge, each stage of healing is an important part of the process. We’ll help you understand what to expect along the way so you can focus on your recovery with confidence and peace of mind.

We’re Here When You Need Us

Questions don’t always arise during scheduled appointments, and sometimes the greatest reassurance comes from simply knowing that someone is available to help.

Whether you have a question about your recovery, need guidance about activity, or simply want the peace of mind that comes from speaking with someone who knows your care, our team is here for you. We believe that responsive communication is an essential part of exceptional patient care, and we’re committed to making sure you feel supported every step of the way.

Recovery isn’t something you navigate alone. From your first postoperative visit until you’ve fully healed, we’re committed to helping you feel confident, cared for, and well supported throughout your recovery.

Long-Term Results

Beautiful results don’t end when you heal. Protecting your results through healthy habits, appropriate skincare, sun protection, weight stability when applicable, and recommended follow-up care helps you enjoy your outcome for years to come.

Our commitment to your care doesn’t end when your recovery does. We’ll continue to be a resource whenever you need us.

Out-of-Town Patients

Exceptional Care, Wherever You Call Home

Patients travel from near and far to seek care with Dr. Stern. While traveling for surgery requires additional planning, our experienced team is committed to making the process as seamless and comfortable as possible.

From your initial consultation through your recovery, we’ll help coordinate every step of your care, providing clear communication, thoughtful planning, and responsive support along the way. Distance may change the logistics, but it never changes our commitment to you or the quality of care you’ll receive.

Thoughtful Planning

Traveling for surgery requires careful planning, and our team will work closely with you to coordinate consultations, surgery, follow-up visits, and recovery while minimizing unnecessary travel whenever it’s safe to do so.

Recovering Away From Home

Whether you’ll be recovering in Asheville for a period of time or returning home during your recovery, we’ll provide personalized guidance and coordinate your care to help make the process as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Visiting Asheville

Asheville offers comfortable accommodations, excellent restaurants, and beautiful mountain scenery, making it a relaxing place to recover. Our team is happy to recommend nearby hotels and other resources.

Staying Connected

Communication doesn’t end when you leave our office. Throughout your recovery, Dr. Stern and her team remain available to answer questions, monitor your progress, and provide guidance as you heal.

Whether follow-up care is in person, virtually when appropriate, or through ongoing communication with our office, our commitment remains the same.

Financing & Payment Options

Making Your Care Accessible

Choosing to undergo plastic surgery is a significant personal decision, and understanding the financial aspects of your care is an important part of that process. Our team is committed to helping you understand your options so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

We’ll clearly explain the costs associated with your treatment, answer your questions, and discuss available payment and financing options. Our goal is to make the financial process straightforward, transparent, and easy to understand so you can focus on your care with confidence.

Financing Options

For patients who wish to finance a portion of their procedure, we offer financing through PatientFi, CareCredit, and Cherry. These established healthcare financing providers offer a variety of payment options, allowing many patients to choose a plan that best fits their needs.

Our team is happy to answer questions about financing and help you explore the options available to you.

Please note that financing is subject to credit approval and the terms and conditions of the financing provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from patients considering plastic surgery. If you do not see your question here, our team is always happy to help.

About Your Consultation

How do I know if plastic surgery is right for me?

The best place to start is with a thoughtful consultation. Dr. Stern will take the time to understand your goals, perform a careful evaluation, and discuss the options that are most appropriate for you. Sometimes that may be surgery, sometimes a non-surgical treatment, and sometimes the best recommendation is simply to wait. Every recommendation is based on what is in your best interest.

Do I need to decide during my consultation?

No. Your consultation is designed to educate and guide you, not to rush your decision. We encourage patients to take the time they need to consider their options, ask additional questions, and move forward only when they feel comfortable and confident in their decision.

Can I combine procedures or discuss more than one concern during my consultation?

Yes. Many patients choose to discuss more than one concern during their consultation, and in many cases, procedures can be safely combined. Dr. Stern will recommend the approach that best aligns with your goals while prioritizing your safety and recovery.

What if Dr. Stern does not think surgery is the right choice for me?

One of the most important parts of Dr. Stern’s role is providing honest, thoughtful recommendations based on what is truly in your best interest. If she believes another treatment – or no surgery at all – would better serve your goals, she will tell you. Her priority is helping you make the decision that is right for you.

Planning for Surgery

How do I prepare for surgery?

Preparation begins well before the day of surgery. After your consultation, you will return for a dedicated preoperative appointment where Dr. Stern and her team will review your surgical plan, discuss your recovery, answer any remaining questions, and make sure you feel fully informed and prepared.

Will someone need to drive me home?

Yes. If you are having surgery under sedation or general anesthesia, you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you as recommended following your procedure. We will review these details with you before surgery so you know exactly what to expect.

Recovery

What is recovery typically like?

Every patient’s recovery is unique and depends on the procedure performed. Dr. Stern and her team will provide detailed instructions, explain what to expect during each stage of healing, and remain available to answer questions throughout your recovery.

What if I have questions after surgery?

We are here for you. Whether you have a question about healing, activity, or simply need reassurance, our team is committed to providing responsive communication and personalized support throughout your recovery.

Results

Will I still look like myself?

Yes. One of Dr. Stern’s guiding philosophies is achieving natural-looking results that enhance your features while preserving what makes you uniquely you.

How long do results last?

The longevity of your results depends on the procedure performed, your anatomy, lifestyle, and the natural aging process. During your consultation, Dr. Stern will discuss what you can realistically expect and how to help maintain your results over time.

General Questions

Do you offer financing?

Yes. We offer financing through PatientFi, CareCredit, and Cherry for qualified patients. Our team is happy to help you explore the options available and answer any questions you may have.

How do I schedule a consultation?

Contact our office by phone or through our website, and our team will help you arrange a convenient appointment and answer any questions before your visit.

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Call us at 828.210.9355 or contact us online to schedule your personal consultation.

Patient Resources