Arm Lift Q&A

84%

WORTH IT RATING

32 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Arm Lift Cost: $7,850

Learn about Arm Lift

144 people and 255 doctors are talking about Arm Lift

Get Free Email Updates

Would Photos Be Enough Before Surgery or Should I See the Doctor?

asked 2 years ago by Ronnie35 in Ireland
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 651 times
Tags: arms

I live in Ireland and wish to get my Arm Lift procedure done in New York. Would I have to attend visits before the procedure or would photos be enough for the surgeon?

14 answers to Would Photos Be Enough Before Surgery or Should I See the Doctor?

Always Meet and Be Examined by Your Surgeon Before Hand

Photos are no substitute for an exam, but certainly may have enough information to start the process of reserving OR time and setting up an evaluation prior to surgery by a few days by your surgeon. Always Meet and Be Examined by Your Surgeon Before Hand

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Long Distance Surgery

I always recommend seeing and meeting with the plastic surgeon before committing to the surgery. Email and phone conversations are great, but you should atleast arrive a day or 2 earlier and meet with your surgeon and not just meet him the day of surgery. Good luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Surgery tourism

It is always important to meet with your surgeon in person before scheduling a procedure. Photographs cannot demonstrate the elasticity of the skin nor does Internet communication equal forming an in person relationship with your surgeon and his staff. I would hate to have a patient plan a surgery and to cross the pond only to discover at the last moment that there are issues affecting the surgical plan or outcome. It doesn't leave you enough time to consider your options. I know that... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Flying in for surgery

Thank you for your question. Every surgeon's practice will vary.. Personally, I do not like to operate on patients without talking to them and/or meeting with them at least 2 days before surgery. Some form of communication prior to surgery allows me to make sure that the patient and I will be a "good fit". Basic questions such as medical history, potential contra-indications, goals can be addressed via phone or email prior to making the determination that... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Arm surgery and doctor

If you are interested in arm rejuvenation surgery, it is always best to have an in person consultation both for you and the doctor. Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Virtual consultation

I think a good set of high quality digital photos taken using the instructions provided by your plastic surgeon would be helpful- I think its reasonable to send these photos along and then wait for the surgeon's opinion. If it sounds favorable, consider booking a flight and staying locally for a week or so for your pre-op visit, surgery and recovery. Travelling for plastic surgery is never an ideal scenario, but if you're motivated to see a particular plastic surgeon, than make... more

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Still Need to be Seen Before the Operation.

Sending photos and filling out forms over e mail can be helpful, but one still should see the doctor a few days before the surgery. It is there the doctor can determine if you are a candidate. He may see something that needs to change the plan, or may preclude you from surgery.

Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Not seeing a patient preoperatively is malpractice

While pictures can help with plannig - all plastic surgeons use them - there is no substutute for a hands on examination. Skin quality, tone, overall health, mental stability, etc., can only be evaluated in person. Out of town patients in my practice are evaluated at least a few days before the scheduled surgery and if the patient is not a good candidate, the surgery will be cancelled. Would you want a surgeon that operated on anyone at all without any safety or surgical criteria... more

David Shuter, MD
Jupiter Plastic Surgeon

Have your arm lift in Ireland

There is no absolute need to come from Ireland to NY for a procedure as basic as an arm lift. There is no magic in this operation and your scar won't be significantly better in you come to NY vs finding a good plastic surgeon in Ireland. I would recommend Dr. O'Reilly in Dublin. It might be best to travel that far for more sophisticated surgeries, but really not for an arm lift.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Photos before surgery

Ronnie, If you are willing to bet your future appearance on Internet and newspaper clippings and several pictures which could easily have been photo-shopped - you better HOPE the Luck Of the Irish (reference) holds up and really works for you. These days there are outstanding Plastic surgeons everywhere and I am sure Ireland is not short of them. But if you insist on traveling abroad for your surgery, you should meet and interview your surgeon well before surgery and be ready to walk away.... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Surgery travel tips

Certainly your doctor could arrange brachioplasty on the same day as your consultation. There are advantages to coming a couple of days early: It will give you time to assimilate the information prior to surgery so that you feel comfortable with the physician and risks of the procedure It may help the physician with planning (not as important for an arm lift as it may be for something like breast augmentation where implants would need to be ordered). In my practice, brachioplasty can... more

York Jay Yates, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

Proper photos and good communication are key for long distance consults

At our Atlanta Georgia facility we start with detailed phone and e-mail communication. We then ask for photos to be e-mailed to be reviewed. Once the photos have been thoroughly examined further discussion will be in order regarding the procedure. Information on pricing, scheduling, hotel and or overnight accommodations are also given during the e-mail and phone communication. We do have the patient arrive a day or two before the surgery to go over everything in detail. Make sure to choose... more

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Pictures first followed by consultation

Photos are just starting points to be able for the surgeon to give a preliminary assesement. Your visit must be scheduled few days at least before surgery to aloow time for proper consultation and informed consent. Best of luck and welcome to the US.

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Pre-operative planning

Ronnie, I would recommend you present to your physicians office no less than 2 days prior to your proposed arm lift. This will give your surgeon's office ample time to complete the requisite pre-operative work-up to ensure maximum chance of having an excellent, safe outcome. Best of luck.