Our practice is privileged to treat many patients who come from outside our geographic area. The process begins by contacting our office and supplying photographs of the area of interest. Facial photographs should include front and side views as well as a close-up view of the eyes. Breast photographs should include a front view and both sides. Oblique views are not essential but helpful. Abdominal views (front and side) should include the entire abdomen from the bottom of the breasts to the upper thighs. Liposuction views should extend from the navel to the knees and include front and back views. Examples of the different views preferred are found in the Gallery section for each procedure.
Lighting is important. It should be neither too dark nor too harsh, and the subject area should be evenly lit. Phone pictures can look distorted when taken too close. This is particularly true for the nose. Facial photographs should be taken with a completely neutral expression. Breast, abdomen, and lower body photographs should be taken with the arms at the sides.
After Dr. Rifkin has evaluated the photographs, our patient coordinator will arrange a virtual consultation. Following this, surgery can be scheduled, and our staff will assist with local accommodations. Lab work and an EKG, if necessary, can be performed at home prior to travel. The results should be sent well in advance, though, if any require further study. Our nurses will coordinate your preoperative care and provide you with detailed procedure-specific information beforehand.
Dr. Rifkin will see you the day before surgery. This live consultation is important for reviewing your goals and examining you prior to surgery. It also provides time to contemplate any adjustments in the surgical plan proposed at this meeting.
If you arrive alone, we will recommend that a nurse stay with you at least overnight for most procedures, and up to 48 hours for facelifts and abdominoplasties. Travel home can often occur 10 days after surgery, but two weeks provides a greater safety cushion for more extensive procedures.
International Patients
Our practice treats patients from all over the world, including Europe, South America, India, Africa, the Far East, and Australia. The process is much the same as that described above. Due to time zone differences, it is most convenient to first communicate by e-mail to obtain preliminary information. Although we can make a surgical recommendation based on digital images sent, a supplementary virtual consultation is preferred to best define goals and formulate a customized plan.
Travel from afar has safety implications due to the propensity for blood clot formation in the legs associated with long flight times. Our practice recommends 12 hours on the ground in New York for every hour of flight time. This enhances safety by establishing an appropriate interval for mitigation prior to undergoing anesthesia. Travel home two weeks after surgery is generally recommended.
