Planning Your Visit from Out of Town
Everything you need to know about coordinating your procedure with Dr. Smith from anywhere in the world.
Our practice is at 111 East 57th Street, Ground Floor, in Midtown Manhattan. See arrival, parking and accessibility information before your visit.
Virtual consultations available
Flexible scheduling for travelers
Convenient Manhattan location
What to Arrange Before You Arrive
Your initial consultation can take place virtually. During a virtual consultation with Dr. Smith, you can:
Discuss your goals via video call
Share photos for preliminary assessment
Understand which procedures will achieve your results
Review 3D imaging and visualizations
Plan your surgical timeline around your travel schedule
Get all your questions answered
Ask about a virtual consultation. In your message, mention that you are traveling and would like a virtual consultation. Please do not send medical records or photographs through the inquiry form.
What to Expect:
A Simple Timeline
Before Your Trip
Virtual consultation with Dr. Smith
Medical clearance from your local doctor (or arrange an appointment with one of our local physicians)
Pre-operative instructions sent to you
Arrival 1-2 days before surgery (procedure-dependent)
Your Surgery Week
Day 1: Final in-person consultation and surgical planning
Day 2: Surgery day at our Ritz Tower facility
Days 3-7: Initial recovery with follow-up visits
Typical stay: 5-10 days depending on procedure
After You Return Home
Dr. Smith remains accessible via phone and video
Local follow-up care coordinated with your physician
Virtual check-ins at key recovery milestones
Long-term results monitoring
Recommended Hotels
Near Our Practice
(Note: These are not formal partnerships, but locations our
patients have found convenient)
Four Seasons Hotel
Distance: Steps away
Key Amenities: A luxury hotel steps from Central Park and a short distance from our practice. Confirm current amenities directly with the hotel.
The Pierre Hotel
Distance: A few blocks
Key Amenities: Room service, quiet rooms and concierge service. Confirm current amenities directly with the hotel.
The Mark Hotel
Distance: A car ride from the practice; travel time depends on traffic.
Key Amenities: Full-service, quiet Upper East Side location
The Plaza Hotel
Distance: A few blocks
Key Amenities: Central location, a spa and room service. Confirm current amenities directly with the hotel.
Common Questions from Out-of-Town Patients
These are the questions we hear most frequently from patients
traveling for their procedures:
How far in advance should I book my surgery?
We recommend booking 8-12 weeks in advance to allow time for virtual consultation, medical clearance, and travel planning. However, we will make every effort to accommodate urgent requests on shorter notice in extenuating circumstances.
What should I bring with me?
For your visit to our Manhattan practice, we recommend bringing:
Essential Items:
- Photo ID and insurance card (if applicable)
- List of current medications and supplements
- Medical records from any relevant previous surgeries or treatments
- Photos of your desired results or aesthetic goals
For Your Comfort:
- Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for your surgery day
- Button-front tops (especially helpful for breast procedures)
- Slip-on shoes or sneakers
- A small bag for personal items
Post-Surgery Essentials:
- Any prescribed compression garments (we'll provide specific guidance)
- Someone to accompany you home after surgery
- Comfortable accommodation arrangements for your recovery period
- Any medications you may need
We'll send you a detailed pre-operative checklist after your consultation to ensure you're fully prepared.
When can I fly home after surgery?
Short answer: Most patients should plan to stay in the New York area for at least several days after their procedure.
Detailed guidance:
- Recommended timeline: We typically advise staying 5-7 days post-surgery before flying, though this varies by procedure
- Initial recovery: You'll have follow-up appointments during the first week to monitor healing
- Medical clearance: Dr. Smith will personally clear you for travel based on your specific procedure and recovery progress
- Procedure-specific considerations:
- Minor procedures: May fly within 3-4 days
- Major surgeries (tummy tuck, mommy makeover): 7-10 days recommended
- Facial procedures: Generally 5-7 days
Travel considerations:
- Arrange for wheelchair assistance at the airport if needed
- Wear compression garments during your flight
- Book aisle seats for easy movement
- Stay well-hydrated throughout travel
Dr. Smith prioritizes your safety and will provide personalized travel guidance during your consultation and post-operative appointments.
What if I have complications after I return home?
Your safety matters to us after you return home. Here’s how we support you:
Immediate Support:
- Urgent concerns: Dr. Smith and our team can be reached about urgent concerns after you travel home
- Direct communication: You'll have phone numbers and emails for immediate contact
- Telemedicine follow-ups: Virtual check-ins to monitor your healing progress
Coordination with Local Care:
- We can coordinate with your local physician if follow-up care is needed
- Detailed post-operative notes provided to your referring doctor
- A plan for handling problems remotely where that is possible, and for getting you seen in person when it is not
When to contact us immediately:
- Excessive swelling, bleeding, or drainage
- Signs of infection (fever, increased pain, redness)
- Any unexpected symptoms or concerns
- Questions about your recovery timeline
Long-term follow-up:
- Scheduled virtual appointments at key recovery milestones
- Access to our patient portal for sharing photos and updates
- You are welcome to return to Manhattan for in-person follow-up visits
Dr. Smith has extensive experience caring for out-of-town patients, and the practice has set routines for following your recovery once you travel home. Distance does add limits, and he will go through those with you before you book.
Do you work with my local doctor?
Yes, absolutely. We can work with your local physicians where they are willing to be involved in your care.
How coordination works:
- Pre-surgery: We can communicate with your local doctor about medical clearance and any health considerations
- Post-surgery: Detailed operative notes and recovery instructions shared with your physician
- Follow-up care: Your local doctor can monitor healing and remove sutures if needed
- Emergency situations: Established protocols for local medical support if complications arise
What we need from you:
- Contact information for your local physician
- Permission to share your medical records
- Their willingness to provide follow-up care
Dr. Smith's approach: We provide comprehensive post-operative instructions for both you and any medical professionals involved in your care. Many out-of-town patients successfully manage their recovery with support from their local healthcare team, while we remain available for guidance and virtual check-ins.
Note: For routine post-operative appointments like suture removal or wound checks, having a local physician familiar with your case can be invaluable.
When can I return to work/normal activities?
Return to desk work, exercise and travel are separate recovery milestones. Timelines depend on the procedure and your individual plan; the examples below are not clearance for unrestricted activity.
Use the breast augmentation recovery guide, Preservé recovery guidance, mommy makeover recovery guide or tummy tuck page for the relevant procedure. Your individual instructions take precedence.
Office work/Sedentary activities:
- Nonsurgical treatments: downtime depends on the treatment; ask for treatment-specific instructions.
- Breast augmentation alone: Dr. Smith’s patients generally plan about two days before desk work, or the next day after Preservé, depending on their recovery and job demands.
- Combined or more extensive surgery: plan time off around the complete operation, including any tummy tuck or breast lift. A breast-only timeline does not apply to a combined mommy makeover.
Physical activities/Exercise:
- Light walking: Encouraged same day for most procedures
- Moderate exercise: requires procedure-specific instructions and clearance; there is no single two-week rule for every operation.
- Full workout routine: resume gradually according to your surgical plan and Dr. Smith’s clearance, rather than a universal four-week deadline.
- High-impact activities: timing depends on the operation, healing and the demands of the activity; obtain individual clearance.
Procedure-specific guidelines:
- Liposuction: Many patients plan about two days before desk work after liposuction alone. Treatment extent and combined procedures may change the plan; exercise requires separate guidance.
- Tummy tuck: Desk work and abdominal exercise have different milestones. Follow your tummy tuck recovery plan and clearance for lifting and exercise; do not use a breast-only timeline.
- Breast procedures: For augmentation alone, desk work is generally planned after about two days. In Dr. Smith’s practice, upper-body training generally begins gradually at two weeks after Preservé versus four weeks after conventional over-the-muscle augmentation, for patients recovering as expected. A lift or other combined procedure changes the plan.
- Facial procedures: Social downtime, desk work and exercise are different milestones. Obtain instructions for your specific facial procedure before booking your return trip or resuming activity.
Factors affecting your timeline:
- Your specific procedure and extent of surgery
- Your overall health and healing capacity
- Nature of your work (physical vs. sedentary)
- Your commitment to following post-operative instructions
During your consultation, Dr. Smith will provide a personalized recovery timeline based on your specific procedure and lifestyle needs. Many of our busy Manhattan professionals plan their surgeries around work schedules, and we'll help you create a realistic recovery plan.
Make the Most of Your Recovery Time
While you'll need rest during your initial recovery, Manhattan offers world-class dining, culture, and shopping when you're cleared for light activity.
DINING NEAR OUR OFFICE
Per Se - Contemporary
Daniel - French cuisine
The Modern - Contemporary
Masa - Japanese
GENTLE ACTIVITIES
Central Park strolls (3 blocks)
Museum visits (MoMA, Met)
Shopping on Fifth Avenue
Ask Dr. Smith about his favorites!