Out of Town FAQ

Procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, and gynecomastia in Los Angeles will typically require less than a week. With a facelift or breast augmentation revision surgery, ten days would be a typical length of time to stay here. A tummy tuck requires about two weeks, and a body lift even longer.

However, these are just estimates. The amount of time Dr. Teitelbaum will ask an individual patient to stay in Los Angeles depends on factors such as age and health, the extent of the surgery, how far away the patient lives, and whether there is good medical care where the patient lives.

Preoperative tests depend on a patient's age, health, and the procedure being performed. Dr. Teitelbaum's office will inform you exactly what you will need done.

There is nothing about being in an airplane that causes any problems. It is just important that you do not carry heavy bags or do anything to strain yourself. The length of time one needs to wait to fly is purely a matter of discomfort and the instructions Dr. Teitelbaum gives about recovery.

Many patients travel with their spouse, a friend, a parent, or a child. But an equal number of patients come here alone. In such cases, they must stay at an aftercare facility for at least one night. For tummy tucks and facelifts, additional nights are usually desirable. It is most convenient to stay next door at the Ambrose Hotel, though many patients prefer to stay at the more exclusive hotels, either alone or with a private duty nurse.

It is expensive and inconvenient to travel for surgery. But the main reason for doing it is that you believe there isn't a surgeon in your hometown who can give you the result you want. Side benefits include the chance to get away from the commotion and demands of home, and the fact that recovery in such a circumstance can be more relaxing. Dr. Teitelbaum sees patients from Canada, Alaska, and other far-off locations; those who know him know he delivers the results they desire.

It is important to realize that this can happen, and it represents a very valid and thoughtful reason not to travel for surgery. While these sorts of problems are rare, major issues such as infection or even late bleeding can occur. These may require frequent doctor visits or even a trip back to the OR to correct, at a high cost. Minor issues, such as irritation from a stitch, can also occur. Dr. Teitelbaum is friendly with plastic surgeons in many cities around the world, and as colleagues, they take care of each other's patients if issues arise during travel.

It is unusual that an in-person follow-up is actually required after plastic surgery. Most questions can be answered via Skype, the telephone, or email. Dr. Teitelbaum wants his out-of-town patients to have the same access to him as his local patients, and therefore makes an effort to have all patients visit his office for short- and long-term follow-up.

A complete listing of local hotels is available on this website. Options range from a Best Western to some of the most glamorous hotels in the world.

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He will do an initial telephone or Skype consultation with you. After your surgery date is set, he can speak with you again by phone if you have anything else you would like to discuss. He will then see you when you get into town, usually a day or two before surgery. If your surgery needs an implant of any type, he will need to see you no later than midday the day before your scheduled surgery to be sure that the implants can be ordered for delivery the next morning. Of course, he will also see you on the morning of surgery. If there are several options for your surgery that are difficult to choose between, you should plan to arrive a few days earlier or even make a separate trip out.

It is actually best that any laboratory tests, EKGs, X-Rays, or pre-surgical clearance be done in your hometown well in advance of surgery. That way, any abnormal tests can be evaluated in a relaxed manner. This will also facilitate your having a relationship with a local doctor if you do not already have one. If you do have your own physician, they will know what you were going to do, so they will therefore be more familiar with the issues in case you need to ask them a question when you return home.