How Do You Know When It’s Time for Plastic Surgery?
A Candid Look at the Concierge Behind the Best Faces in the Business
“Plastic surgery should be lighthearted.”
– Melinda Farina, The Beauty Broker
If you’re considering plastic surgery or any advanced cosmetic procedure, the smartest first step isn’t booking a consult with a top surgeon. It’s talking to Melinda Farina, aka The Beauty Broker.
I’ve been working in fashion and beauty since the 1980s, so I assumed I’d seen it all. But Farina’s concierge-style matchmaking service, which connects patients to the right doctor based on aesthetic, personality, and budget, was new even to me.
For $650 and up, you get a brutally honest Zoom consult that could save you from a very expensive mistake.
Her insider Rolodex covers everything from minor tweakments to full face and body reconstructions. But what gives Farina her edge isn’t just access. It’s experience.
She’s been in medical aesthetics since she was a teen, first as an assistant at NYC’s premier cosmetic dentistry practice Rosenthal & Appa (where, incidentally, I got my veneers in 2006 — still flawless, by the way).
Her plan to practice dentistry was cut short by a severe scoliosis diagnosis. Instead of retreating, she pivoted, combining her medical training and unmatched knowledge of the aesthetics scene to become the go-to advisor for patients across the globe.
“You know it’s time when you look in the mirror and you just can’t take it anymore.”
– Melinda Farina
Today, Farina sits in on surgeries from Hong Kong to Houston before ever recommending a provider.
“Every doctor has their style,” she explains. “You might need five different surgeons for a full rejuvenation — one for the face, another for the neck, someone else for breasts or body.”
One-stop-shopping sounds efficient, but in her experience, it’s rarely ideal.
And she’s discerning. Her patients (who include names like Gwyneth Paltrow) don’t just get referrals… they get educated.
“A well-informed patient is a safe patient.”
– Melinda Farina
Talking to Melinda feels like catching up with your best friend, if your best friend happened to be plugged into the upper echelons of global aesthetic medicine. She’s open, funny, and never condescending even when she’s breaking down facial anatomy or dissecting the real story behind a celebrity’s “not-a-facelift” facelift (check her Instagram for the real scoop on SYMAS, by the way).
As for me? I’ve had my share of tweakments: Botox, Restylane, Morpheus8, Sofwave, RHA, Picosure, and Avéli. I’ve spent a small fortune and suffered mildly. The results?
I look like a 60-year-old woman who mostly got away with it despite:
years of sun worship
cigarettes (don’t recommend)
cocktails and cross-continental red-eyes
two kids
and a few decades of chasing fashion around the globe
No regrets (except the smoking) but I don’t need every life story mapped out in fine lines and dimples across my cheeks and backside.
“Natural-looking results are my specialty.”
– Melinda Farina
The Beauty Broker’s 5 Golden Rules
For Knowing When It’s Time for Surgery
You’re seeing deflation that’s not weight-loss related.
“We’ve seen this in patients as young as 32,” says Farina. “But most of the time it’s due to sun damage, perimenopause, or postmenopausal collagen loss.”You can’t unsee it.
“Honestly? You know it’s time when you look in the mirror and you just can’t take it anymore.”You’re emotionally ready.
“Surgery won’t save a marriage or fix mental health. A good candidate understands what they want and why they want it.”You’re informed before the consult.
“The best compliment I get from doctors is how calm and educated my patients are.”You’re never pressured.
“If a doctor’s office is calling you to push surgery after a consult, run. That’s a huge red flag.”
How to Vet a Surgeon
Look for board certification in plastic or facial plastic surgery
Review before-and-after photos — ask to see profiles and long-term results
Meet in person, if possible — the vibe has to be right
Ask about revision rates, anesthesia protocols, and aftercare
Read the cancellation policy carefully — reputable surgeons don’t pressure
What Recovery Really Looks Like
Swelling + bruising: 2–3 weeks
Full healing: 6–12 months
Expect: lymphatic drainage, scar care, sun avoidance
You might look worse before better and that’s normal
Emotional swings happen. Build a support system.
Booking with The Beauty Broker
Appointments book 6–8 weeks out.
Zoom consult: $650+
In-person: $900+
Expedited: $1,000+
Junior consultants: from $450+
Plastic surgery isn’t for everyone. But if it’s for you? You deserve transparency, expertise, and a result that reflects your spirit — not just your age.