| Out of Town Patient Information |
| Doctor McBride treats patients from around the United States and the world. Since these patients may be traveling great distances to come to Dallas, it is useful for them to know what time investment will be required to prepare them, perform surgery and provide essential, early post-operative care. We are interested in doing all we can to accommodate patients traveling to Dallas, and recognize that there are practical limitations to the time that some may be able to spend here. However, our greatest interest is in seeing that the care provided is of the highest caliber. This need to insure safety and quality make certain rules regarding length of stay necessary. Below are provided general guidelines to which the traveling patient may refer. These may be modified in some instances depending upon the particular situation. Consultation In general, it is best if the initial consultation and any surgery are separated by sufficient time to allow the patient to reflect upon the surgical options, and their limits and risks. If a traveling patient is able to make a short, separate visit to Dallas for initial consultation, most of the details of surgical planning can be carried out with the patient back at home. When the patient returns for surgery, a second visit with Doctor McBride will be arranged immediately before the surgical date so that all questions can be fully discussed. We recognize that in some instances a separate visit just for a consultation is not possible. For selected cases we may arrange for consultation at the very beginning of the patient's visit in Dallas, to be followed shortly thereafter by surgery and the initial recovery period. Pre-operative Testing Some patients will need screening laboratory tests performed prior to surgery. These tests will vary depending upon the individual's medical history, age and the procedure contemplated. In most cases, arrangements can be made by telephone for this testing to be done as soon as the patient comes to Dallas. For some, it may be possible to make arrangements for the tests to be performed in the patient's home city. The individual can mail the results to us or bring the results with him/her to Dallas. Recovery Full recovery from most surgery is not accomplished for many weeks. However, it is not ordinarily necessary for traveling patients to remain in Dallas for this entire time. The appropriate time to go home after surgery will be determined based on several factors including the complexity of the surgical procedure, the age and physical condition of the patient, the distance from Dallas to the patient’s home, the availability of cosmetic surgical care in the patient’s home city, and other factors. Remember that most of the risk for post-operative complications is during the first twenty four hours. Some procedures, such as face lift, neck lift and laser resurfacing, require that the patient return for a postoperative visit on the day after surgery to ensure that healing is proceeding as expected. At this visit the bandages are removed and all areas are checked. Home care instructions are reviewed and all questions are answered. Patients having other procedures may plan to return home on the day of surgery if they live within a few hours drive of Dallas. For patients with a longer travel time, it is usually more convenient and comfortable to spend the night of surgery in Dallas, and return home the next day. Almost all patients will need to return in one week for a postoperative evaluation. For international patients, and others coming particularly long distances, it may be possible to arrange for some early follow-up with a physician close to their home with whom Dr McBride can communicate. Plan to specifically discuss your trip home with Dr. McBride, remembering that a smooth recovery is important to the ultimate success of your procedure. |