What to Expect When You Arrive at MGH for Plastic Surgery

Your Initial Plastic Surgery Consultation:

For your initial plastic surgery consultation, you can expect to spend 30-45 minutes with the physician, sharing your medical history and discussing what you hope to achieve through plastic, cosmetic, or reconstructive surgery. The surgeon will listen to you, describe possible options, and tell you about what you can expect during surgery and during recovery. If you decide at that time that you would like to pursue plastic surgery, the physician will review with you the risks and benefits of surgery and ask you to sign a consent for plastic surgery.

Prior to Your Plastic, Cosmetic, or Reconstructive Surgery:

The physician's office staff will work with you to identify an appropriate date and time for surgery. They will provide you with instructions on where to arrive the morning of plastic surgery, what you can and cannot eat or drink, what to bring with you, and any other important pre-surgical instructions.

Depending on the plastic surgeon's recommendations, you may need testing (labwork, exam, etc) prior to surgery. If this is the case, the physician's office staff will schedule you for a Pre-Admission Testing Area (PATA) appointment. This appointment is typically about a week prior to surgery.

Your Surgery:

When you arrive on the day of surgery, you will report to the surgical check-in area. You will meet with a nurse who will help prepare you for surgery and escort you to the operating room. After your plastic surgery, you will be moved into a recovery area. You will remain in recovery for several hours, until your physician determines that you are ready to be discharged home or transferred to an inpatient bed. The hospital has a comfortable waiting area for your family and friends to use while you are in plastic surgery and recovery.

Your Inpatient Stay:

Your physician will let you know during your initial plastic surgery consultation whether or not an inpatient stay following your surgery is likely. In most cases, you should be able to recover easily at home and an inpatient stay is not necessary. In the event, that you will need to stay overnight, the nursing staff on the plastic surgery unit will do everything they can to monitor your recovery and assist you in returning to health. Massachusetts General Hospital is the only hospital in the state of Massachusetts that has achieved Magnet Hospital status – indicating its achievements in attracting top nursing staff. In lieu of the plastic surgery unit, some patients elect to stay in the private rooms in the MGH Phillips House. Please let your plastic surgeon know in advance if you are interested in staying in the Phillips House. Please note that this option involves a higher nightly fee.

Your Follow-Up Visit:

Your physician typically likes to see you back in the office 1-2 weeks after plastic, cosmetic, or reconstructive surgery to remove any stitches and check on your progress. The physician's office staff will help you arrange a suitable follow-up appointment.