What Is Out-Of-Town Patient Care?

Anyone considering facial surgery should acknowledge the importance of choosing the very best facial surgeon, and traveling to visit the best surgeon has never been easier. Our surgeons are committed to the pursuit of excellence in facial plastic surgery and providing a full array of nonsurgical and surgical options at Buckingham Center for patients traveling from other cities in Texas, out of state, and internationally. Patients leave raving reviews after having plastic surgery performed at Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Austin, TX.

Dr. Edward D. Buckingham

Dr. Edward D. Buckingham’s reputation as an experienced and talented surgeon draws national and international patients from all over, requesting his surgical expertise. Recognized as a leading figure in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Buckingham annually mentors a facial plastic surgeon, offering a comprehensive program encompassing valuable training, specialized knowledge, and refined surgical skills needed for a successful career in facial plastic surgery. 

Dr. Edward Buckingham

Dr. Erin Smith

Dr. Erin Smith, a Beverly Hills-trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures for the face, neck, nose, eyelids, ears, and forehead, where she uses cutting edge, safe techniques to create a very beautiful and natural facial rejuvenation.  She is a winner of the prestigious Castle Connely Rising Star award for two consecutive years and a nationally renowned surgeon and researcher.

Her reconstructive passion is treating patients with facial paralysis, where she is one of the few surgeons in the country who specializes in advanced facial reanimation procedures including selective neurolysis.

Dr. Erin Smith

Dr. Hudson Frey

Dr. Hudson Frey, originally from the Mississippi Delta, graduated Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi Medical School. As a member of prestigious honor societies, he demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, and dedication to service. Completing his Otolaryngology residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Dr. Frey found his passion in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and completed a fellowship sponsored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to gain further expertise in facial rejuvenation and rhinoplasty surgery.

Dr. Hudson Frey

Benefits of Traveling for Plastic Surgery

Buckingham Center is nationally and internationally recognized for its top-of-line medical care, continuous physician training, decades of experience, 5-star patient satisfaction, and natural-looking, beautiful results.

Selection

Selecting a plastic surgeon is a very personal choice, and traveling out of town allows you to choose the best surgeon in the field. The Buckingham Center doctors are all expert facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons.

Privacy

In most cases, plastic surgery is a very private matter. Traveling outside of your community for plastic surgery can ensure discretion. Patients enjoy complete privacy, a quiet recovery, and a peaceful getaway in beautiful Austin, Texas.

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Plastic Surgery for Out-Of-Town Patients

Technological advances in the last ten years have transformed cosmetic surgery, and an explosion of plastic surgery techniques now provides smaller incisions, less bruising and swelling, and decreased downtime. Buckingham Center provides cosmetic and reconstructive surgery for patients who request a younger, natural appearance or require restoration after an injury or trauma. 

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Popular Out-Of-Town Procedures 

Facelift/Neck Lift: Treats the lower face, jawline, and neck area

Buckingham Center specializes in the newest minimally-invasive facelift surgery techniques and nearly or entirely camouflaging incisions within the hairline and under the chin. Our surgeons explain your facelift options during the consultation, including tailored approaches to treat minimal to moderate sagging, jowls, and neck laxity or more significant aging. Regardless of the method, patients are typically ready to travel within seven to ten days and are fully active within two to three weeks.

Explore face and neck procedures

Rhinoplasty: Enhances the appearance of the nose by altering the size and shape

Our surgeons have extensive experience in primary and secondary rhinoplasty, and they use conservative measures to tailor each technique for the patient. They may recommend cosmetic tip refinement, dorsal adjustment, significant straightening, or a complete reconstruction of the nose’s structure for men, women, or teens. The stitches are removed within five to seven days, and patients typically return home shortly after.

Learn more about rhinoplasty

BOTOX: Temporarily smooths facial lines and wrinkles caused by repetitive muscle contractions

Our surgeons perform BOTOX treatments for men and women across the country. They offer out-of-town patients advanced treatments with Juvederm fillers, Botox, and other trusted injectables. Patients typically travel home immediately after the procedure or on the following day.

Learn more about BOTOX

Blepharoplasty: Reshapes and lifts the upper or lower eyelids

The Buckingham Center doctors specialize in eyelid lift surgery that improves the appearance of the eyes by removing redundant fat and skin and improving facial contours.  For the lower eyelids, this often involves a fat grafting procedure. This procedure, in particular, is very difficult to master and one of the major reasons that patients travel from all over for our surgeons' expertise.  These procedures treat hooded eyelids, local wrinkles, bags, or pockets of fat beneath the eyes. The incisions are concealed within the crease of the eyelid or inside the lower eyelid. Out-of-town patients typically return home and resume their regular schedule within a week after blepharoplasty.

Learn more about blepharoplasty

Facial Fat Grafting

One of the reasons that a person looks older than their age is that the face develops shadows and hollows over time, secondary to bony and other layers of volume loss. One of the ways to add youthful convexity, which then reflects light as in a youthful face, is by adding the patient's own fat cells from their body back to their face. This procedure requires a great deal of experience and skill to complete in a satisfactory manner. Dr. Buckingham has written extensively on facial fat grafting and is one of the leading providers worldwide of this amazing procedure. Many surgeons shy away from this procedure as it takes a great deal of experience to perform it well. Our surgeons believe it is one of the main reasons that his patients look so much better and more natural than many other surgeons can achieve.

Learn more about fat grafting

Eyebrow/Forehead Lift: Restores a refreshed and more youthful appearance by lifting the brows

The Buckingham Center doctors specialize in minimally invasive forehead and eyebrow lift techniques and uses several smaller incisions rather than one long incision. This treatment option reduces scarring, possible numbness, or hair loss. Patients typically feel well enough to return home within seven to ten days and resume their normal activities within 14 days.

Learn more about brow lifts

Candidates

Out-of-town candidates for plastic surgery are in good health, have realistic cosmetic or reconstructive expectations, and are willing to follow all before and after instructions. Our surgeons create a customized surgical plan for approved candidates.

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Out-Of-Town Patient Consultations

Out-of-town patients can either travel into the facility for an in-person consultation or schedule a virtual consultation with emailed photos for one of our surgeons to review. Both options provide exceptional personal care.

Face-to-Face Consultation

The Buckingham Center staff accommodates guests who desire to travel to meet the doctor and discuss the desired procedure. During the face-to-face consultation, the doctor performs an examination, reviews the patient’s health history, and creates a customized treatment plan for approved candidates. The patient coordinator then reviews the cost, pre-and post-operative requirements, and lab work requests and discusses payment options with the patient.

Phone Consultation

If flying in for the consultation is not possible, a virtual consultation is an excellent choice. We request front and side-view photos and health history information to determine candidacy and create a surgical plan. A packet is e-mailed to approved candidates with all of the vital information, including a price quote, the required medical clearances, and blood work. The patient coordinator will also be available by phone or email to answer any questions.

Scheduling the Appointment

Picking a date for the surgery requires an initial deposit, which patients may pay over the phone with a credit card.  Our surgeons request that patients arrive one day before the surgery. The patient coordinator can provide a list of local accommodations, recommended hotels, and travel suggestions.  Post-operative nursing care is also available.

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Out-Of-Town Patient Recovery

The Buckingham Center surgeons request that each patient allow sufficient time in Austin, Texas, to recover after surgery. Most patients are able to travel home within seven days. The surgeon will discuss this surgical information during the consultation. Buckingham Center aims to make the recovery process as comfortable as possible, and the patient coordinator provides each patient with the after-hour number in case of complications or questions.

Out-Of-Town Patient Planning Guide

The Buckingham Center Surgeons and Patient Coordinator work together to ensure comfort, increase safety, and encourage peace of mind and a speedy recovery. Buckingham Center can recommend a professional recovery nurse immediately after surgery, but patients are encouraged to invite a friend or family member to join them on the trip for added support during the recovery.

Below are general timelines to help patients determine their minimum stay; please keep in mind that changes may be needed depending on the personal healing process.

Procedure

Days

Detail

Facelift/Necklift

8-10 days

The doctor examines the treated area the next day and changes any dressings. The initial sutures are removed after seven to eight days. Most patients are released to return to their normal activities and can travel in seven to ten days.

Rhinoplasty

7-8 days

The splint and any sutures are removed on day seven after the surgery. Most patients are released to return to low-impact activities, including travel, after seven to ten days.

BOTOX

1 day

The doctor performs Botox injections alone or in combination with surgery like a facelift. The injections are performed during one short office visit. No downtime is needed, and some patients travel the same day. The doctor provides aftercare instructions, including avoiding steam rooms and massaging the area. The doctor can examine the treated areas in the office the following day and make adjustments if desired.

Blepharoplasty

7-8 days

Cold compresses relieve bruising and swelling during the first 48 hours. The doctor removes the stitches after seven days. Most people are released to travel and resume their regular activities after seven to ten days.

Brow Lift

7-8 days

Ice compresses help to reduce swelling during the first 48 hours. The doctor typically examines them the following day. Staples are removed from the scalp in seven to eight days. Most patients are released to resume normal activities and may travel after the staples are removed.

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Why Choose The Buckingham Center for Out-Of-Town Surgery?

The Buckingham Center surgeons are double board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.The Buckingham Center surgeons are highly sought after, with a combined over twenty-five years of experience. The doctors are dedicated to education and routinely present at plastic surgery conferences around the country. The highly-acclaimed surgeons are also recognized as mentors and teachers. Hundreds of patients travel each year to Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery and receive outstanding surgical results.

The Buckingham Center achieved the Allergan Diamond Status, which only four percent of cosmetic practices hold in the US. Dr. Buckingham holds the prestigious Schoenrock Award in recognition of his positive impact in the field of facial plastic surgery, as well as numerous other awards, including the 10 Best Plastic Surgeon Award, America’s Best Physicians, and the Patient’s Choice Award.

FAQ

What pre-operative tests are required?

When is it okay to fly?

Can I travel alone to Austin, Texas?

What happens if I experience a complication after I return home?

What pre-operative tests are required?

Pre-operative tests depend on the patient’s health, age, and type of procedure. The surgeon will provide you with all the information about the surgical plan, including any required tests.

When is it okay to fly?

Flying on an airplane after plastic surgery is safe. It is important to avoid straining yourself by carrying heavy bags and performing strenuous activities. The surgeon will further explain the travel procedures associated with your plastic surgery.

Can I travel alone to Austin, Texas?

Most patients travel with a spouse, parent, friend, or child. But some patients travel alone. Going alone will require an overnight stay in a care facility immediately after the surgery, or a private duty nurse must stay overnight in your hotel.

What happens if I experience a complication after I return home?

While these sorts of things are rare, some complications may arise that would require a doctor's visit or even a trip back to Austin, Texas. The surgeon will explain possible complications and issues that could arise.

Schedule Your Out-Of-Town Consultation

The doctors and staff at the Buckingham Center work together to ensure that out-of-town guests receive exceptional care. Call 512-401-2500 to schedule your out-of-town phone consultation at the Buckingham Center in Austin, TX, or visit us on the Buckingham Center website to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors.

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