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Traveling for a Facelift

asked 1 year ago by TAC in Phoenix, AZ
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 673 times
Tags: recovery, travel

I live in Phoenix and have extensively researched all of the local "top docs". Although there are some very talented doctors here, I cannot find anyone whose work I prefer to a doctor in Chicago (whose fees are justifiably much higher.) I am concerned about recovery time in a city where I don't know anyone. Has anyone had this experience and if so, what was it like. Would I have to recover in a hotel, or is there usually someplace with medical staff made available for out of towners?

24 answers to Traveling for a Facelift

Out of Town Facelifts

It is certainly possible to have a Facelift in an out of town location. However, there are two major aspects of care that need to be considered: post-op care logistics and the possibility of a complication. In SW Florida, I do a number of Facelifts for patients who live elsewhere, but most of these patients have a relative or friend who lives here. Since you will not be able to do all of the activities of daily living, driving to office visits, etc. you will need to... more

Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

Traveliing out of town for plastic surgery

IF all goes well, post-operative care is relatively limited and essentially can be managed by yourself but it is particularly important to travel with a friend or complanion who can provide immediate care such as local transportation assistance, dressing changes, aid to and from the bathroom in the event of nausea of dizziness or lightheaded ness, runnng out to a pharmacy for changes in medications. Arrangements for a nurse or attendant can be made but can be costly. Many surgeons have... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Traveling for a Facelift

I see patients from around the country and all over the world for facial rejuvenation. They typically stay in town for 7-10 daqys. We have them stay in a recovery center for at least 24 hours after surgery, then move to one of the many local hotels. My office will coordinate all local arrangements. Don't be concerned about the unfamiliar surroundings.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Travel for surgery

It is becoming more and more common for patients to travel for quality medical care. We routinely have patients travelling from all over the world for surgery. Typically, for facial surgery, a 10 day stay as adequate.

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Traveling for a facelift

It is not uncommon for patients to travel to have a facelift, or to do it while visiting family or on vacation. I think it would be necessary for you to stay in Chicago for at least 7-10 days, and that it would be most helpful for you to have a family member or trusted friend with you during that time.

Lawrence Kass, MD
Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.kassmd.com

Out of town patient & facelift

Being in a strange & unfamiliar city adds one more stressful layer to the whole facelift recovery. However, people do it, if they love the surgeon's work, and are willing to travel. We usually have our patients stay in our AAAASF-certified facility with an overnight nurse, and then after that, they go to their local hotel or home with friends / relatives. While medical assistance can be set-up, this does add to the overall expense. The patients usually stay in... more

Thomas Fiala, MD
Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon

Traveling for a facelift

If you are really sure that your top local plastic surgeons are not able to deliver the results of a doctor in Chicago, make sure that the Chicago doctor sees your photos and believes you can get the result you want. Then plan to stay there for 10 days to 2 weeks after if you want the best recovery. It is worth the cost if you really feel you need to travel.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

When travelling for facelift be sure to have a caretaker and plan to spend at least 10 days for follow up

I frequently have patients from out of state and out of country come to my Boston Area practice for facelift surgery. However we impose strict rules to assure patient safety: 1. We recommend that the patient be accompanied by a caretaker-friend or family who will stay with the patient at all times. 2. We recommend that the first night after surgery be spent in the hospital so that proper nursing care and supervision is provided-if the caretaker and patient are adequate this... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Facelift in another city

I think that it is okay to have surgery in another city just as long as you stick around during the early post-op period so that if any immediate issues develop yoru surgeon can take care of you. This usually means about 7-14 days.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Harmonic face lift

I use the Harmonic device for all my face lifts. It lowers the recovery time and patients experience has been great. Very little bruising and swelling. I also do cheek suspensions which would raise your cheeks. My out of town patients, ussually stay in town for 7 days. You can stay in a local hotel with a friend, or the Secret Garden, a recovery after surgery resort in West Palm Beach.

Luis A. Vinas, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

How far should I travel for my face lift?

Since I practice in beautiful Orange County, CA many of our patients who travel from out of town do not mind spending time and recovering here. I perform surgery on many patients who travel from all over the world and US. I recommend face lift patients to stay around for at least 7 days for suture removal, then they can fly back home. We have a concierge service with corporate discount for nearby hotels. see video

Kevin Sadati, DO
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

Traveling for cosmetic surgery is common in our practice

Traveling for cosmetic surgery is common in our practice. Many patients from the Pacific Northwest and Alaska travel to Seattle to have their procedure performed by us. Some patients have traveled as far as the Turk and Caicos Islands. There is no problem with traveling to undergo an elective cosmetic surgery, but be prepared to stay in town for at least seven to ten days after having had the procedure done. It is important to have a responsible adult with you for the first two to three... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Traveling to undergo facelift procedure

If you find it necessary to travel far away from home to undergo your facelift, make sure you plan on spending at least 2 weeks in the vicinity of your surgeon's location. In addition, you may want to choose a surgeon from your home town in case of any unforeseen complications after you return.

Olivia Hutchinson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Traveling for Cosmetic Surgery

You may have had your procedure already but I am wondering what your Chicago doctor did that all of the Phoenix doctors did not? And with marketing being a huge influence in where people go, some doctors are tempted to overstate their abilities. That being said, its my preference that my patients either live in my town or have family/friends whom they can stay with. The concern I have is if there are any complications, you will either have to stay in a foreign city for... more

Curtis Wong, MD
Redding Plastic Surgeon

Traveler Beware

I often see patients who travel abroad for plastic surgery and if problems arise want to come in for evaluation.I generally ask them to return to the country where the surgery was performed.This often is not practical so I caution anyone thinking about traveling abroad think long and hard about the consequences should something go wrong.

Robert Brueck, MD
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

Having surgery out of town.

As my colleagues have stated it is not unusual for patients to travel to areas further away for cosmetic surgery. To answer your question regarding staying in a hotel or outpatient center, all of my out-of-town patients (and some of my in-town patients) have either stayed at nearby hotels located within 1/4 - 2 miles from my surgery center or stayed with a friend or family member who happens to live in the area. For our patients who do not know any one in the area, the... more

Arnold Zweig, MD
Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon

Out-of-town facelifts are possible

It is certainly possible to have an out-of-town facelift performed, this is quite common in our practice. Our patients stay across the street at a hotel, but some surgeons have post operative facilities where you can stay. Plan to spend 2 weeks away and have someone available to stay with you and drive you to your appointments. When you get home, everyone will think you have a marvelous, relaxing vacation!

Theda C. Kontis, MD
Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon

Out of town Plastic Surgery

I have a lot of patients in my practice who travel in from out of town. They spend 1-2 nights in an overnight nursing care facility then go to a hotel or a friend's home. Depending on the nature of the surgical procedure, I recommend 1-2 weeks here, then potentially return home if they are doing well. Every physician has a different protocol for out of town patients and recovery instructions. It is important that you walk frequently while traveling to decrease risk for DVT (blood clots).... more

Hayley Brown MD
Henderson Plastic Surgeon

Out of Town Facelift

Since I practice in a resort area, I do many out of towners. There are several logistic problems, and they all have to do with safety. You cannot expect to travel there alone unless the doctor can make arrangements for someone to stay with you for a few days after surgery or has an overnight area with help where you can stay until you can care for yourself. Travel is also risky. You should never travel either to the surgery or home without constantly moving your legs and walking around at... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Traveling for a Facelift

Good question. I preform all types of cosmetic surgery on out of towners (OOTers). My recommendations are 1. travel with someone who can act as an advocate, 2. Have all your labs done 2 weeks prior to traveling, 3. Make sure you have travel insurance, 4. Find a local hotel close to the doctor's office and surgery center, 5. Arrange in town transportation. If all these issues are covered prior to the initial visit than things usually go much better.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Travelling is common

In our practice we see many out-of-town and out-of-country patients. It's advisable to ask your prospective surgeon what accomodations they can make or assist you with when having surgery. We commonly recommend hotels we know and trust as well as caretakers who are familiar with the specific type of surgery and its postoperative course. Wherever you choose, make sure that a plan is in place to provide for your wellbeing and safe recovery.

Corey S. Maas, MD
San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon

Leaving town depends on your surgery and resources.

We do many out of town patients, but have certain restrictions on those we do: Patients must have someone with them who can stay until they can solo. This depends on the type of surgery we are to do and the extent. They need to have an airplane ticket which allows them to change days unless they understand that there may be a penalty if they need to stay longer. They must agree to a followup visit at some time in the future There are some procedures that take... more

Nathan Mayl, MD
Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

Out of Town Facelift

Hi, Its ok to choose a doctor out of town if you feel more comfortable with the surgeon. The office you are considering should recommend a nearby hotel and an escort to take you to the hotel and stay with you, if need be, overnight. Best. Dr.S.

Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facechange.org

Consider carefully before traveling for facelift surgery

It seems unlikely that there are not a few plastic surgeons in the Phoenix area who are as capable as surgeons in other parts of the country. High fees sometimes indicate more expertise, sometimes not. For complex revisions there may be a need to seek an expert from elswhere, but this is not typically justified for primary surgery.