Out of Town Patients

Scheduling Your Consultation

Your journey begins with a personalized consultation to explore your goals, review your medical history, and determine the most appropriate treatment for your facial concerns. For many out-of-town patients, a virtual consultation is an ideal first step, allowing you to meet with Dr. Ginsburg, discuss your objectives, and receive expert guidance from the comfort of your home.

In certain situations, an in-person consultation is necessary to ensure accurate planning and optimal results. This includes patients interested in 3D photo morphing or those with breathing concerns who may be pursuing insurance coverage for a functional procedure. Our team will guide you in selecting the consultation format that best fits your needs.

Scheduling Your Surgery Date

After your initial consultation, you will be able to secure a surgery date with a small deposit. Surgical schedules are typically booked about four months in advance, so planning ahead is especially important if you are aiming for a specific time of year. We will also schedule you for a preoperative visit to confirm our surgical plan and discuss any new questions about two weeks prior to your procedure. You are welcome to schedule additional consult  time with Dr. Ginsburg if any questions or concerns arise.

If you live more than three hours away, we recommend staying locally from the night before surgery until one week after surgery, when your first post-operative appointment is scheduled. It is important that you can take this week off work. If you work remotely, you may feel well enough to resume light work toward the end of the first week.

Accommodations and Travel Planning

Our accredited surgery center is conveniently located approximately 25 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport, making travel to and from the area simple for out-of-town patients. This proximity allows for easier coordination of flights, ground transportation, and post-operative appointments while minimizing travel-related stress during your surgical experience.

Several accommodation options are available nearby to suit different preferences. Staybridge Suites Wilmington – Brandywine Valley, a hotel directly across the street, offers a discounted patient rate, and there are additional hotels in the surrounding area. For patients who prefer more privacy or longer stays, Airbnbs are readily available throughout the region.

Packing for Your Surgery

We recommend packing:

• Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
• All prescribed medications
• Recovery supplies from our Amazon wishlist

The Day of Surgery

The day before your procedure, you will receive detailed instructions from the surgery center regarding fasting, medications, and your arrival time. Typically, you will stop eating and drinking 8 hours before surgery and arrive rested, without makeup or jewelry.

You must have another adult with you to take you home and stay with you the first night. Patients are not permitted to leave alone or take an Uber or taxi without your caregiver after surgery.

Recovery While You’re in Town

Sleep

Plan to keep your activity level low, avoid strenuous movement, and give your body the time it needs to recover. Sleeping with extra pillows to keep your head elevated can help minimize swelling and improve comfort, especially during the first several nights. Following all post-operative instructions closely will support a smoother, more predictable recovery.

Nutrition

A low-inflammation diet is strongly recommended during recovery to help reduce swelling and support healing. Many out-of-town patients find it helpful to stock up on easy, nourishing foods shortly after surgery. Convenient grocery stores in the area include The Fresh Market, Costco, Acme, Target, Wegmans, Whole Foods, and Giant.

First Post-Operative Appointment

Your first post-operative visit typically occurs one week after surgery. During this appointment:

• Cast removal and nasal cleaning may be performed if you have had rhinoplasty
• Some sutures may be removed
• You are generally cleared to travel home the same day

Follow-Up Appointments

Ongoing follow-up care is essential to achieving the best possible long-term results after facial plastic surgery. For out-of-town patients, follow-up appointments are thoughtfully structured to balance thorough care with travel convenience:

• 1 month after surgery: virtual
• 3 months after surgery: in person
• 1 year after surgery: in person

Ideally, the three-month and one-year follow-up visits are completed in person to allow for a comprehensive evaluation. However, if you are healing well, have no concerns, and can provide clear progress photos, one of these visits may be conducted virtually when appropriate. Our team remains available throughout your recovery to support you every step of the way.