Q. What can I expect at my Initial Consultation?
A.
Personal consultations are extremely thorough and include a detailed structural, functional and aesthetic exam followed by
a personal discussion. The surgeon will explain his findings, offer his opinion and make recommendations. You’ll have
the opportunity to ask questions and receive detailed answers from the surgeon and staff. You’ll also be shown before
and after photos and presented with the fees of any procedures you may be considering. If
you did not receive a New Patient Packet in advance by email, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes early to fill out
your paperwork.
Q. What should I bring to my Initial Consultation?
A.
- Your
health insurance card(s) and some form of payment. We accept cash, checks and Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
- Close-up portraits or pictures of yourself from various periods of your life
taken before previous surgeries or before the current problems began. These can help us understand the development and progression
of the issues at hand. It would be extremely helpful if you could bring several with you.
- If you have problems relating to the orbit, including orbital trauma, tumors, or Grave’s disease,
please bring any pertinent studies, such as CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasounds or head x-rays, if possible.
Q. How do I get to your office and where
can I park?
A. We recommend that you allow enough travel time to arrive and find parking,
especially if you are from out of town and unfamiliar with the routes and traffic jams of Los Angeles. If you are coming straight
to your appointment from LAX Airport, allow a minimum of two hours from landing time to arrive in our office.
Driving Directions and Parking Information
Ground Transportation from Los Angeles International Airport
List of Hotels
Q. If I decide to have surgery, when can it be scheduled?
A.
Surgery may be scheduled as soon as one week after your initial consultation providing there is availability and that you
are cleared for surgery by your primary care physician, internist or cardiologist. Our office routinely keeps surgery
time available for those who desire to schedule right away. Otherwise, you may schedule up to one year in advance. Our surgery
coordinator will walk you through scheduling and preoperative requirements.
Q. How much is the surgery
going to cost?
A. In order to provide you with fees for procedures, we need to see and evaluate
you. Each patient is different and has his or her own combination of problems, options, concerns and structural/functional,
and aesthetic goals which must be addressed individually and personally.
Q. When is payment for surgery
due?
A. When scheduling surgery, our office policy is to collect a $1,000 deposit
to hold your date. The balance for your surgery must be paid in full 2 weeks prior to your surgery date or on the day of scheduling
if it is within 2 weeks of your surgery date.
Q.
Can I finance my surgery?
A. Yes, our office offers financing through Care Credit, available
to anyone who qualifies. You may qualify in advance at their website or by calling them directly.
Q. Where
will my surgery be performed?
A. In our own federally certified, Medicare approved outpatient
surgery center, the Beverly Hills Ambulatory Surgery Center, located adjacent to our office.
Q. Will my surgery be performed under general or local anesthesia?
A.
All surgeries are done under local sedation which is safer and has fewer
potential side effects than general anesthesia. Patients recover comfortably in about one hour.
Q. How
much time should I plan to take off work following surgery?
A. Normally most patients feel
comfortable returning to work and resuming their social activities in one - two weeks. This may vary depending on your
type of procedure and how quickly you heal.
Q. Is there anything I should do to prepare for my surgery
beforehand?
A. Yes!
• See your primary care physician or internist at
least two weeks prior to your surgery for standard preoperative clearance or
immediately if your surgery is scheduled within the next two weeks. You will have blood drawn and an EKG.
You will need to take our History and Physical Exam Form with you to the appointment which explains to your physician what
blood tests to order. If you live out of the area you may have this done near your home. History and Physical Forms can
be emailed, faxed or mailed to you and/or to your physician.
• Avoid medications which thin the blood for two weeks prior to surgery or immediately
if surgery is scheduled within the next two weeks. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, Excedrin and Coumadin.
Also avoid vitamins E & C and herbal supplements such as Gingko Biloba and St. John’s Wart. Patients who are taking
daily doses of aspirin and Coumadin may need to see their cardiologist, in addition to seeing their internist or regular primary
doctor, to be cleared for surgery. Coumadin may be resumed one week following surgery.
• Schedule a Pre-Op visit in our office.
This is separate from your Initial Consultation and not the same as a surgery clearance with your internist or primary care
physician. In some cases, an Initial Consultation may be combined with a Pre-Op visit. If you live out of the area, your
Pre-Op visit may be scheduled a day or two before your procedure provided you were cleared for surgery by your local physician.
• Make arrangements for someone to pick you up
the day of your surgery and someone to stay with you for at least the first 8 hours. If you live out of the area and will
be traveling alone to Los Angeles for your procedure, our office can arrange for a nurse to accompany you to your hotel immediately
following surgery and to stay with you for 8 hours. The fee for this service ranges from $280 to $360. You may not under any
circumstances be discharged alone after your procedure.
Q. What should I avoid during my recovery period?
A. Refrain from doing any activity that has the potential to raise your blood pressure such as exercising,
bending, lifting, brisk walking and sexual activity. Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Do not take medicines or supplements
which thin the blood. The doctor will inform you when it is safe to resume these activities and your medications.
Q. When will my first follow up appointment be scheduled?
A. Anywhere from 1 –
7 days following surgery. The surgeon will determine this on the day of your procedure. On that day you will be given an appointment
for your first post operative visit along with detailed instructions which you must follow carefully.
Q.
When will my stitches be removed?
A. Normally in about one week, or when the wound is adequately
healed.
Q. Can I do anything to minimize bruising and swelling?
A. Yes!
• Sleep in a reclining (not horizontal) position for 1 week following surgery to minimize the collection of fluids
in the face and eyelids.
• Follow the instructions you will be given about making and administering your cold and
warm compresses. These will not only reduce bruising and swelling but will maximize and promote healing.
• Take
SinEcch prior to surgery and during your recovery. SinEcch is a natural and potent supplement which minimizes bruising and
swelling and comes in a packet with instructions. For many years our patients have relied on SinEcch to help them return to
their daily activities as soon as possible. SinEcch is available on the internet and in our office.
Q.
What other services or treatments do you offer?
A. We offer a wide range of cosmetic services
and treatments which can dramatically enhance your appearance without the cost or downtime of surgery!
• Botox®
• Juvéderm®
• Restylane®
• Perlane®
• Laser Skin Rejuvenation
• Chemical Peels
Please refer to our COSMETIC TREATMENTS AND SERVICES section for more information.
Q.
Do you offer any products?
A. We
offer a wide range of products for skin care and appearance as well as eye health and protection.
