Traveling for a medical procedure from a specific doctor has grown significantly over the past twenty years. Advancements in medical technology, the accessibility of information, and increasing specialization among doctors have now made it easier for you to find the exact procedure you want from the exact doctor, no matter where that doctor is located.
This phenomenon, referred to as “medical tourism”, has especially affected plastic surgery. These patients travel the world looking for the best place to have plastic surgery from the best doctors in the business. When you’re an out-of-town patient, there are a few extra considerations and a little more planning involved. Nevertheless, your experience can be just as smooth and amazing as a local patient.
Out-of-Town Consultations
The first step to getting any plastic surgery procedure is to contact the doctor and schedule a patient consultation. Whether you’re a local or from out of town, this can be done by calling the doctor’s practice or using their website’s contact page. The doctor needs to know who you are, what procedure you want, and what you’re hoping to change about yourself. After you contact the doctor, a patient care coordinator or someone in a similar role will help you get ready for your consultation. They will send you additional information as well as some patient forms for you to fill out, including your medical history.
For the actual consultation, you’ll meet with the doctor. When you’re an out-of-town patient, some doctors offer virtual consultations through Skype or similar programs so they can do an initial assessment. You can also help the process by sending quality pictures of yourself to the doctor. During your consultation, you can talk with the doctor to explain your goals for the procedure, discuss your personal and medical history, and talk about any questions you might have regarding the procedure or the process. After the consultation is over, the patient coordinator will help you schedule your procedure. They will also provide you with a set of guidelines to follow before and after your surgery and keep you connected with your doctor.
Arriving for Your Surgery
One of the other things the patient coordinator can help you with is planning your trip. They can recommend hotels that are close to the doctor’s office and help you figure out transportation to and from your doctor’s office. One of the biggest differences between local and out-of-town patients is the length of time you’ll need to be in the area. It’s generally recommended that out-of-town patients plan to arrive at least two or three days before surgery.
Arriving early accomplishes several things. Even with a virtual consultation, your plastic surgeon will want to meet with you in person before your procedure. This is important because a two-dimensional examination can only go so far. The doctor needs to be able to look at you and make an in-person assessment to confirm and verify their plans for your surgery before they can even get started. This protects you and the doctor from any oversights or problems that might not have been noticed in the photos or during the virtual consultation.
Coming early also gives you time to relax before your surgery. Traveling can be very stressful and you don’t want to feel stressed before you head into surgery. You should feel relaxed and calm instead of hurried and flustered. An early arrival gives you a day or two to relax and settle in to your new surroundings. It also gives you the opportunity to prepare your surroundings for your recovery in case you need to request extra pillows or blankets from housekeeping, buy supplies, or fill any prescriptions.
After Your Surgery
In addition to arriving early for surgery, out-of-town patients should plan to remain in town for at least seven to ten days afterward. This length of time may increase or decrease depending on the type of the procedure you have. Recovery from plastic surgery can be a little rough, especially if you’ve never dealt with it before. You could experience pain, swelling, and bruising for several days, and the first couple of days will typically be the worst. You definitely won’t feel up to traveling during this time.
It’s also important that you remain close to your doctor during the first few days of your recovery in case you have any problems or questions. Your doctor will have a follow-up with you within the first two days to check on your bandages and your healing. They will also be available to you if you have any concerns about the recovery. You should wait to travel until you have clearance from your doctor.
Why Out-of-Town Patients Choose Dr. Bustillo
There are thousands of plastics surgeons all over the world, all of whom are available to you for your plastic surgery needs. So what makes Dr. Bustillo a good choice above other plastic surgeons?
Dr. Bustillo is considered one of the best facial plastic surgeons in the Miami area. His work is concentrated on procedures for the face, neck, and head. In fact, more than half of his patients come to him specifically for facial rejuvenation surgery. Dr. Bustillo’s top priority is always the health and safety of his patients, even if that means he can’t do everything a patient wants.
Among his patients, Dr. Bustillo is highly regarded for his care and expertise. Each patient is treated as an individual, and each surgery is catered to the patient’s specific needs. For out-of-town patients, Dr. Bustillo offers virtual consultations and recommendations for accommodations. He and his staff are trained and equipped to provide you with the best possible experience whether you are local or far away.
For an out-of-town patient consultation with Dr. Bustillo, call his office at (305) 663-3380 or use the Contact page on his website.
