A Complete Checklist for Setting Up Your Surgery Date

Posted on November 28, 2023 in Plastic Surgery

If you’ve completed your private consultation with Dr. Evan Ransom and decided to go forward with your chosen procedure, it can be an exciting time. You’re likely looking forward to your results and maybe even feeling a little anxious about what to expect. But your next step is setting up your surgery date. It’s important to pay special attention to this step since it involves some planning and research on your part to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process for both you and our team. Here’s a checklist for setting up your surgery and how to ensure you’re well-prepared to book your date.

Confirm Your Time Off

Getting time off from work or school is extremely important to your recovery. Before you move forward with anything, confirm that you can get an appropriate amount of time off – and if you’re unsure how much time you’ll need, don’t hesitate to ask our team. Not having enough time off to recover can compromise your results, so confirming that you have the time you need is an investment in your final product.

Arrange For a Caregiver

Especially if you undergo general anesthesia, you’ll need a responsible adult to look after you for at least the first few days. This should be a trusted, close friend or family member who can assist you with tasks around the house, recovery instructions, moving around, and generally keeping an eye on you. If you can’t arrange this with someone, we can help you find professional care instead.

Confirm Your Travel Plans

If you’re traveling from outside of San Francisco, booking your travel arrangements is another essential step. This includes booking flights and hotels with an appropriate timeframe. Our team is happy to make recommendations and assist you in picking the right dates – you’ll be limited in when you can fly home and will need to book your hotel long enough to recover. Keep in mind transportation may also be needed for your follow-up appointments.

Research Your Surgery

You’ll go over your complete surgical plan in detail with Dr. Ransom, but one thing that can help you avoid anxieties later on is informing yourself about your procedure. Check out our blog or reach out to our team if you have questions – surgery is a big decision, so it’s always best to ask!

Hear From Other Patients

Other patients are a great resource when it comes to knowing what to expect from your surgery. Read patient testimonials and check out our video gallery so you can feel more familiar with the surgical and recovery process. Although our team can tell you what to expect, other patients can give you a unique and relatable perspective on your surgical journey.

Ask Yourself If You’re Ready

Plastic surgery is a big decision for anyone, and it’s perfectly understandable to realize that you’re not ready. Before you schedule your surgery date, spend some time thinking about whether you’re ready for the surgery, recovery, and follow-up process, as well as the emotional investment that comes with waiting for your final results. Deciding to undergo plastic surgery should be a resounding “yes,” so if you’re in any way unsure, keep researching your options or simply give yourself more time to think about it.

Book Your Surgery Date

Now that you’ve completed all the preceding steps, you’ll pick a surgery date based on the above points. However, booking your surgery isn’t as simple as putting something on your calendar – there are a lot of factors that go into the clinical side of your surgery. For example, confirming this date means booking the operating room (removing it from availability for other patients) and scheduling with a variety of medical professionals like Dr. Ransom, your anesthesiologist, the surgical and recovery teams, and more. By booking their time, you’re ensuring they can provide their full attention and expertise during your surgical procedure. As such, if you have unique scheduling needs based on the above checklist, make sure to work with our patient coordinator to find the best possible option that you can commit to.

Contact Us

Dr. Evan Ransom is a premier double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon in the San Francisco and Mill Valley areas. Ivy League educated and trained, he is one of the most optimal choices for patients around the country looking for exceptional facial plastic surgery results.

Our team is happy to help you learn more about the surgical process and answer your questions about booking your surgery date. Contact us online or call our San Francisco office to get started.