Appointments
At the Aesthetic Surgery Clinic we respect a patient’s right to select the surgeon of choice. So, when you request an appointment you may specify which doctor you’d prefer. If you don’t have a preference, one of the Clinic’s appointment secretaries can assist you. If time is of the essence, tell our scheduler. We may be able to offer you a vacancy created by patient rescheduling. Most patients who are willing to work with us can see the doctor of their choice within a reasonable time frame. In many cases telephone or teleconferencing consultations can be conducted thereby eliminating delays. Internet-based consultations are also performed for patients who live far away.
In the selection process, a variety of circumstances come into play. Sometimes schedules dictate which doctor you might see. Also, it is important to remember that plastic surgery is a field comprised of a number of subspecialties and that any given surgeon’s practice may include one or more areas of expertise. This basic but often misunderstood fact is one of the factors which make our clinic unique. In many cases both facial and body procedures are performed at the same time, thereby reducing costs and recovery time. Our surgeons are internationally recognized in their respective fields of study. Experience teaches that multiple procedures involving the face and body are best managed by a team approach. The doctor(s) who are selected may be based upon the nature and complexity of your problem(s) as well as your own personal preferences.
The important thing to remember is this: after your visit(s) to the clinic (and when you are scheduled for surgery) YOU WILL KNOW WHO WILL BE PERFORMING EACH PART OF YOUR OPERATION(S). And you should feel free to inquire about the roles of assistingpersonnel. Call 1-504-459-3517 today to schedule your appointment.
Consultation
During the consultation we will discuss your desires, examine the condition you wish to have corrected, and give you an opinion of what we feel can be accomplished. A set of medical photographs is taken so that we can study them and record the preoperative state of the condition in question. In some cases, it may be necessary to obtain additional studies (x-rays, mammograms, laboratory work, etc.) or consultations with other medical specialists, usually two weeks prior to surgery.
Patients who have time schedules to meet (getting back to work, school, conventions, etc.) or who wish to have the surgery as soon as possible, should let us know at this time so that we can reserve a period in our surgery schedule and arrange hospital or clinic accommodations for them. In some incidences a tentative surgery date may be reserved by phone when the consultation appointment is made.
Drs. Guerra and Metzinger prefer that prospective patients send photographs prior to consultation, which depict the features they wish to have corrected. The doctor can analyze those photographs and conduct telephone interviews prior to the face-to-face consultation. This too, shortens waiting times and often avoids unnecessary travel.
At the time of your visit we can complete the medical history, necessary paperwork and any special instructions in preparation for your surgery. A thorough consultation takes time, so plan to be at the clinic for a couple of hours. At the conclusion of your consultation we may prescribe the preoperative medications and give you some additional instructions in preparation for your operation. It has been our experience that much of the anxiety patients often experience in regard to having surgery is relieved following this conference.
Internet-Based Consultation
This service is provided to patients who live far away from our clinic locations. If you are interested in having an internet-based consultation, please enquire about this when you phone the clinic. You will be asked to submit photographs through the internet. Our surgeons will study these and render an opinion for surgery through the mail. We attempt top answer all request within a 72 hour period.
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