Consultations Good surgeons will answer every single question you have to your complete satisfaction. They won't try to rush you out the door, and they won't make you feel bad for asking. Usually you discuss your goals with the doctor, who then takes measurements and makes recommendations, and then an assistant or office manager puts together an estimate of the price. Describe the procedure. When you are comparing cost estimates from several doctors, be sure to consider the doctor's location and then budget accordingly for travel, food and lodging expenses.
Different procedures call for different lengths of stays.
If you cannot spare the time or money to stay in the town you came to for surgery, ask the surgeon if he or she is comfortable with having a doctor in your town remove the sutures. Sometimes they are willing to do this. In my case, I felt it was important to remain in San Francisco and have Dr. Ousterhout remove all the staples and sutures himself. Obviously, this is the best way to do things. Some procedures, such as the jaw reshaping, have dissolvable sutures, so you could be free to leave within a few days of surgery.