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Cosmetic Plastic Surgery is a medical specialty that seeks to improve physical function or to minimize disfigurement or scarring from accidents or birth defects. Aesthetic or cosmetic plastic surgery involves the application of the special skills to reshape facial or body features. While aesthetic plastic surgery may not be essential for physical well-being, it is designed to improve an individual’s appearance and his or her mental well-being.
APPOINTMENTS
The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, US Eastern Standard Time. We are also open for consultations on Saturday and Sunday in the United Kingdom. Office hours, however, vary from day to day in accordance with the surgery scheduled, meetings, and teaching responsibilities. Of necessity, patients are seen by appointment only; please call in advance so that we may reserve the proper time for you. If you cannot keep an appointment, please give the office at least 24 hours’ notice. This courtesy on your part makes it possible to accommodate another patient. All appointments for new patients will be confirmed by telephone 24 to 48 hours before the scheduled visit, allowing us to keep up-to-date on cancellations and time changes.
TELEPHONE CALLS
The office staff have been trained to answer most of your questions: confirming with the doctor and relaying his answers to you. Whenever necessary, the doctor will return your call. If you have a reason to believe medication is required, please have the name and telephone number of your pharmacy available. Telephone calls regarding billing and insurance questions should be made directly to the office staff.
EMERGENCIES
Medical coverage is available at all times for our patients. Normally, Prof. Kirwan is on-call for his practice. Occasionally, however, he may sign out to another qualified plastic surgeon.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
We recognize the need for a definite understanding between the patient and doctor regarding financial arrangements. At all times, we provide an estimate of our charges. These fees are fixed for cosmetic procedures. A deposit is required at the time a commitment is made to proceed with surgery.
COSMETIC SURGERY
You, the patient will be given as much information as possible. This will include consent forms detailing the potential risks and complications, reference materials, and brochures as necessary. The initial consultation is an in-depth evaluation and explanation of the proposed surgical procedure, and may be supplemented with computer half an hour in length, allowing time to answer questions. Appropriate photographs of before and after results of surgery may be shown to illustrate relevant points.
The consultation is usually restricted to one procedure because of the limitations of time. If you wish to discuss more than one procedure such as a facelift and rhinoplasty, or a breast lift and an abdominoplasty, you are strongly recommended to make an appointment for one hour. Similarly, if you are traveling a long distance to see Prof. Kirwan and are concerned that there you will be unable to discuss all of your questions or concerns, you should schedule a one hour appointment.
SCHEDULING SURGERY
If you desire to schedule your surgery, the office will coordinate the request with the surgery schedule and the availability of office or hospital operating room time. We do our best to accommodate your wishes within these limitations. You will receive comprehensive written restrictions to prepare you for surgery and to outline your care afterwards.
OFFICE SURGERY
The in-office ‘Ambulatory Plastic Surgery Facility’ in Norwalk, Connecticut is a state-of-the-art same day surgery center designed and engineered specifically for plastic surgery. It is certified at the highest level by the State of Connecticut.
POSTOPERATIVE CARE
Rather than spending a night or even a day in the hospital, many patients can be treated in a matter of hours in the comfort and safety of our modern, fully-equipped operating and recovery suites. In addition, specially trained registered nurses facilitate your stay. Both local and general anesthesia is available. We are pleased to offer such a complete facility. Prof. Kirwan is also
affiliated with Greenwich and Norwalk Hospitals as well as New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and the London Independent Hospital and provides in-patient care at these facilities.
SPECIAL SERVICES
Our office staff is available to make hotel reservations for out-of-town patients. It is often desirable to have a private duty nurse accompany you to your home or hotel for the first day after surgery. Our office can arrange this.
Preoperative photographs will be taken in our office, either at the time of your original consultation or before surgery.
SUMMARY
Prof. Kirwan considers a doctor-patient relationship a privilege. For this reason, we do not give out information about the patient to others, even close relatives, unless instructed to do so in writing. We practice discretion in handling all patient matters and we encourage you to speak directly to the doctor if anything displeases you. Our objective is to help you with any questions as they relate to the art of plastic surgery. Prof. Kirwan specializes in providing surgical excellence as well as individualized attention and personalized care
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