Doctors Norman and Philip Godfrey see and treat patients from around the United States and the world. Since these patients may be traveling great distances to come to New York, it is useful for them to know what time investment will be required to prepare them, perform surgery and provide essential, early post-operative care.
The NYPSA physicians and staff are interested in doing all they can to accommodate
patients traveling to New York and recognize that there are practical limitations
to the time some may be able to spend here. However, our greatest interest
is in seeing that the care provided is of the highest caliber. This need
to insure safety and quality make certain rules regarding length of stay
necessary.
Below are provided general guidelines to which the traveling patient may
refer. These may be modified in some instances depending upon the particular
situation.
Consultation
In general, it is best if the initial consultation and any surgery are separated sufficiently in time to allow the patient to reflect upon the surgical options, their limits and risks. If a traveling patient is able to make a short, separate visit to New York for initial consultation, most of the details of surgical planning can thereafter be carried out with the patient back at home. At the time of return for surgery, a second visit with the doctor will be arranged immediately before the surgical date so that all questions can be fully discussed.
We recognize that in some instances a separate visit for consultation alone is not possible. For selected cases we may arrange for consultation at the very beginning of the patient's sojourn in New York, to be followed soon thereafter by surgery and the initial recovery period.
Pre-operative Testing
All patients will need certain, basic screening lab tests performed prior to surgery. The number of these tests will vary depending upon the individual's medical history, age and the procedure contemplated. In most cases, arrangements can be made by telephone for this testing to be done as soon as the patient comes to town. For some, it may be possible to make arrangements for the tests closer to the patient's home, requiring that individual to bring the results with him/her to New York.
General guidelines are as follows:
All patients will need to obtain:
- CBC with diff (complete blood count with differential white count)
All pre-menopausal females will need:
- Urine pregnancy test
Patients over the age of 45 or with any heart history should add:
- EKG (Electrocardiogram)
Patients undergoing general anesthesia who have not had a chest xray in several years should add:
- PA and Lat Chest Xray
Other tests may occasionally be added by the doctor as dictated by the patient's medical history. Prospective patients should not obtain the above-mentioned tests without first conferring with the doctor. It is also important the tests be "current." This will mean that blood work should be done within 2 weeks of the date of surgery.
Recovery
Full recovery from most surgery is not accomplished for many weeks. However, it is not ordinarily necessary for traveling patients to remain in New York for this entire time. While there is some variation based upon procedure performed (see below), it is well to remember that most of the risk for significant post-operative complication or wound-healing difficulty will be past by 2 weeks postoperatively. Therefore, an in-New York early recovery of 2 weeks is the preferred minimum.
A patient who is able to return to New York for another post-operative check in a short period will be one for whom earlier initial discharge may be possible. For international patients and others coming particularly long distances it may be possible to arrange for some early follow-up with a physician close to their home with whom the doctors here can communicate.
General rules for "in-town" early recovery are:
- Abdominoplasty- 2 weeks essential | 3-4 weeks preferred
- Breast augmentation- 10-14 days
- Breast reduction- 2 weeks essential | 3 weeks preferred
- Breast lift- 2 weeks
- Browlift- 1 week essential | 2 weeks preferred
- Eyelidplasty- 1 week essential | 2 weeks preferred
- Facelift- 2 weeks
- Gynecomastia- 1 week essential | 2 weeks preferred
- Laser resurfacing- 1 week essential | 2 weeks preferred
- Liposuction- 1 week essential | 2 weeks preferred
- Rhinoplasty- 7-14 days
Plan to specifically discuss the issue of in-town recovery with the doctor, remembering that a smooth recovery is important to the ultimate success of your procedure.
