The first consultation with a surgeon often causes more anxiety than the surgery itself. You've spent weeks or months preparing questions, imagining how it will go, wondering whether the doctor will understand you... This article explains exactly how the initial consultation with us at ARQÉA works, what happens in it, how long it lasts and what you can expect before walking out of the door.
This isn't a marketing article. It's an explanation of the process as it actually happens, written by us and not by an AI.
How do you request a consultation at ARQÉA?
The first step is always the initial contact through the website form. Whatever type of consultation it is (in person or online), at ARQÉA you choose the slot that suits your calendar best. As soon as the booking is made you receive a confirmation email, and from there there isn't much else you need to do until the consultation. There's no prior filter of any kind: no documentation is requested, no admission questions are asked, and nothing is charged to book.
The consultation is free in all cases. That decision is no accident: at ARQÉA we believe charging for an initial consultation is inconsistent with our proposition of real access to surgery.
Once the date is confirmed, you receive a reminder with:
- the address of the centre if it's in person;
- the video call link if it's online;
- the exact time and duration
Note: the first consultation can also be held by video call for those outside Barcelona. The protocol is identical, although the imaging study is completed differently.
What happens during the consultation?
The consultation with Dr Gutiérrez lasts an average of 45 to 60 minutes. There are no intermediaries: the surgeon who sees you at the consultation is the same one who operates on you later. That's a significant structural difference compared with higher-volume clinics.
First part: listening and context
The consultation starts without a fixed clinical script. Dr Gutiérrez opens the conversation with an open question: what has brought you here, what are you thinking about. It isn't a courtesy protocol: it's diagnosis. The way a person describes what they want to change says more about their expectations than any form.
In this first part you talk about your story, which procedures you've researched, whether you've consulted other centres. There are no right answers. The goal is for the surgeon to understand your starting point before making any assessment.
Second part: clinical evaluation
Next comes the facial evaluation. Depending on the case, this can include:
- Direct visual analysis of the facial structure
- Standardised clinical photographs (front, profile, 3/4)
- Review of images you bring along (morphs, references)
- In orthognathic or structural cases: a request for any existing CBCT or panoramic X-rays
Imaging tests aren't carried out routinely at the first in-person consultation, unless the case requires them from the outset (for example, an orthognathic surgery assessment).
Third part: plan and options
Dr Gutiérrez gives you his honest assessment. This can include:
- Which procedures he considers indicated and why
- Which procedures he does NOT consider necessary, even if you've asked for them
- The logical order if several procedures are under consideration
- Approximate recovery times per procedure
- An indicative price estimate at the consultation (the formal quote is delivered in writing afterwards)
Important: Dr Gutiérrez has no incentive to over-indicate. ARQÉA's structure places no surgical-volume pressure on the surgeon. That matters because it directly conditions how honest the proposed plan can be.
What questions can you ask at the consultation?
The short answer: all of them. But if you want to make the most of the time, these are the ones that most help you reach an informed decision:
- Which procedure(s) do you consider most indicated for my case, and why?
- Is there any procedure you would rule out even though I've asked for it?
- What's the logical sequence if I want several procedures?
- How much time off work and social downtime does each option involve?
- How many times have you performed this specific procedure, and what are your usual results?
- What exactly does the price include? Anaesthesia, hospital, check-ups?
- What happens if the result isn't what was expected? What's the revision protocol?
- What complications could arise if things go wrong? What's the real risk? How would we resolve them if they appear?
There are no awkward questions. A consultation where the patient doesn't ask what they need to know isn't a good consultation, whatever the surgeon says.
What happens after the consultation?
In the days following the consultation you receive in writing:
- The recommended surgical plan with a description of each procedure
- The detailed, itemised quote (fees, anaesthesia, surgical centre, all included)
- Estimated recovery times
- The booking process if you decide to go ahead
There's no time pressure and no closing pressure. The coordination team is available to answer questions by WhatsApp or email before you make any decision.
About the price: at ARQÉA the quote includes all costs: Dr Gutiérrez's fees, general anaesthesia, the surgical centre, surgical materials and postoperative check-ups. There are no surprises at the end. The price you see at the consultation is the price you pay.
Indicative prices for the most requested procedures
For reference, these are the usual price ranges at ARQÉA for the procedures most often discussed at a first consultation. All prices include general anaesthesia and the surgical centre:
- Forehead feminisation: from €8,500
- Jaw and chin (FFS): from €7,000
- Rhinoplasty: from €7,000 (in collaboration with Dr Ramón Tarragona)
- Tracheal shave / Adam's apple: from €4,500
- Lip lift: from €2,500
- 3-procedure FFS package: from €16,000
- Double-jaw orthognathic surgery: from €12,000
Frequently asked questions about the first consultation at ARQÉA
Is there any charge for the first consultation?
No. The initial consultation at ARQÉA is completely free, both in person (Barcelona, IM Clinic) and by video call. No advance payment or deposit is requested to book.
Can I have my first consultation by video call if I'm outside Barcelona?
Yes. The first consultation by video call follows the same protocol as the in-person one: Dr Gutiérrez dedicates the same time, carries out the same visual evaluation and delivers the same written plan. For procedures requiring detailed imaging analysis (such as orthognathic surgery), additional documentation may be requested before or after.
Who conducts the consultation? Is it the same doctor who operates?
Yes. Dr Javier Gutiérrez is ARQÉA's lead surgeon and the one who conducts both the consultation and the surgery. There are no intermediaries, medical coordinators or trainees in the diagnostic process.
How long does the first consultation last?
Between 45 and 60 minutes in most cases. For complex cases involving several procedures or structural surgery (orthognathic, PEEK implants), it can run a little longer.
Do I need to bring anything to the consultation?
It isn't compulsory, but it helps: reference images if you have them, any previous imaging (CBCT, panoramic X-rays) if you've had earlier assessments, and the list of questions you want answered. Dr Gutiérrez doesn't need prior medical documentation for a standard first consultation.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes, of course. Many patients come with someone they trust. There's room for it, and the consultation is yours: you decide who to share it with.
Do I have to decide anything at the consultation itself?
No. The consultation is diagnostic and informative. The plan and the quote are delivered in writing afterwards. There's no expectation of an on-the-spot decision, and the ARQÉA team applies no closing pressure of any kind.
Will I need a CT scan for the first consultation?
No. It isn't necessary for this first consultation. If you later decide to go ahead with surgery, it does become essential, since we base the planning and the cutting guides on the images from that scan.
In summary
The first consultation at ARQÉA lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, is free, and is conducted directly by Dr Javier Gutiérrez. It includes an initial conversation about your case, a clinical evaluation and a plan with real options. After the consultation you receive the detailed quote in writing, with no pressure and no surprises.
If you have questions before booking, you can write to us directly on WhatsApp or through the contact form. The team replies within 24 hours during working hours.
→ Book your free consultation now
