Not your usual doctor’s office.
No man in a suit.
Not even a white coat.
Let’s face it, walking into a doctor’s office can be intimidating. From the first interaction with someone sitting behind a counter, or worse, behind a glass sliding window, personal and warm are not the first words that come to mind.
When you arrive at our office, you’ll notice there is no reception desk. A doorbell has alerted us that you have arrived, so you can feel free to take a seat. Help yourself to a cup of coffee and make yourself at home. One of our staff will be out to greet you in just a moment.
It’s not easy to talk to a new doctor about private and intimate concerns, especially dressed in a paper gown. We get that. You will meet Dr. DeLuca-Pytell in her office. There, with everyone in their street clothes, you will have the opportunity to have a conversation with Dr. DeLuca-Pytell about your concerns. She will ask you about your medical history (and, if you are wearing awesome shoes, where you found them)! When is time for the examination, you will be brought to an exam room where you will change for an exam, then back into your clothes once the exam is complete. Dr. DeLuca-Pytell will then finish the consultation with you in our consultation room where you will stay until your visit is complete. There, you will also have the opportunity to meet with our practice manager and patient coordinator, Andrea, who will review the business aspects of your visit and planned surgery.
Same as the surgical consultation, but your visit may occur in a consultation or treatment room. Once the exam is complete, you and Dr. DeLuca-Pytell will discuss a plan for your injections including how long each treatment will last before it will need to be repeated. We recommend that you do your first injection treatment on a different day than your consultation. This gives everyone the opportunity to talk without any needle anxiety.
Once the plan is in place, we will get you ready for your treatment. While topical numbing cream is applied to your skin, we will review the consent documents (think permission slips). Dr. DeLuca-Pytell will have hit the highlights during your consultation, and this paperwork gives you another opportunity to ask questions. A stress ball is always offered for you to squeeze. You may also choose to use ProNox, a blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you control which relieves anxiety. Depending on how much we are doing, your injections may be as quick as a few minutes or as long as fifteen. Ice packs will be used to help reduce swelling. Arnica tablets or cream is also available for those interested.
We get it. We’re girls.
You’ve had your consultation. You’ve weighed the pros and cons. You’re ready for surgery. But first, paperwork. FYI, this is a long visit. We will review the consent form for surgery. This is a legal document explaining all potential risks and side effects of the surgery. Dr. DeLuca-Pytell will have covered much of this in your consultation. The consent formally acknowledges that you understand what you are signing up for. We will also go over instructions specific to your surgery and what to expect after surgery until your first preoperative visit. We will get you all of your prescriptions ahead of time to make it easier to be prepared. We will also take some photographs (the disposable bikini undies can be kept as a souvenir). Dr. DeLuca-Pytell will answer any final questions you may have. She will also do a brief physical exam. Yes, plastic surgeons can use a stethoscope!
Most surgeries begin early in the morning, so I will see you bright and early. Before I see you, though, you will be checked in to the hospital or surgery center. You will be asked to change into a gown, and one of the nurses will do an assessment (read: ask you a ton of questions and type into a computer) before she starts your IV. I will arrive to say hello and see if you have any questions. I will draw on your skin to guide me during surgery. This is the hardest part of your day, because you will be standing partially clothed while I “mark” you. Once that is over, you can have cocktail on me (kidding, but you can have IV sedation to take the edge off). Then it’s time for surgery.
Music plays. Magic happens. All attention is on you and you alone.
After surgery:
You probably won’t remember, but I will talk to you once your surgery is done. If you have had a breast or body surgery, you will be wearing a not-so-fashionable-but-very-practical garment. I prefer you use this for the week after your surgery. I will also talk to your family or friend that accompanied you to let them know you are well. Nurses will stay with you until you feel ready to go home. You will probably want to spend the remainder of your day napping.
Your surgery may be finished, but your healing process has just begun. I will see you for short follow up visits often (at first) then less often (after two or three months) then yearly. Forever. For free. Yes, free. It is important to keep in regular contact to make sure that you are healing as expected, and that I see you so I can guide you in things like scar care, bra fittings, and surveillance of your result. Photography will be performed so that we can track your progress and have a visual record of any changes that occur with time. If you are a breast patient, you will get a breast exam yearly. If you are a breast implant patient, you will also get an implant exam and suggestions on when to check your implants with ultrasound and MRI. Plus, I just love to see my patients. Thank you for putting your trust in me, contact us today!
Please take a look at the upcoming events hosted by Your Girlfriend the Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Danielle DeLuca-Pytell. We look forward to seeing you there!
