Out Of State and Overseas Patients

Facial Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery for National and International Patients

The world is now a small place: we welcome patients from around the globe. We have treated cosmetic and reconstructive patients from most of the States in the USA and from many countries worldwide. We help our patients from the rest of the United States and our International patients in several ways:

Video reviews of conditions can be arranged
Photographs and clinical information can be e-mailed to us by the prospective patient or referring surgeon
When Dr. Patel is lecturing or operating in other States or Countries, we can arrange for patients to meet and be examined by him
As Dr. Patel has trained residents and fellows from many countries around the world, he can arrange for his prior fellows to see and examine you locally

cosmetic surgery for international patients

Many patients will travel to be treated by us here as Utah is a well-known holiday destination with many beautiful recreation areas. Our links below will connect you to local hotels where many of our patients find it convenient to stay. If you let the hotels know you are coming to have surgery by us, they often have discounted promotional rates for our patients.

International Patients

Although the world is now a much smaller place, certain political and physical changes have made it a less friendly place than of yore! We will make every effort to make your visit and stay as happy and comfortable as possible. To that end, international patients need to plan their visit well ahead of time. Once we have made a proper diagnosis and proposed a treatment plan, you will need written documentation from Dr. Patel to apply for visas to come to the United States for medical treatment. As the visa applications have become somewhat more onerous for certain countries,
please plan to apply for visas well ahead of your visit.

"Well, the last time I had a picture taken I could hardly see my eyes because of the weight of heavy eyelid. Then I paid attention to how I was actually using my eyes and I really noticed when I was looking at anything especially the computer I was straining my forehead to see better. Since I have had it done I no longer have to lift the forehead and tilt my head to see. It is amazing! I love..." D. Rock 63 Yrs Old with Fat Droopy Eyes - Salt Lake City, UT

International Surgeons

If you are an international surgeon visiting us, please ensure you have corresponded with Dr. Patel’s international division: the division arranges all itineraries well ahead of time. You may need to submit an application a year ahead of your desired visit. My academic office will ask you to send in your curriculum vitae, three references and a cover letter of the reason for your visit. A personal introduction by a surgeon trained by Dr. Patel will smooth the process! We have a large group of “family of surgeons” now, scattered all over the globe. My fellows and ex-fellows maintain a healthy relationship via the internet and we frequently arrange to meet in many exotic locations around the world to operate, lecture, discuss or sail!

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Patients from the rest of the United States

It is much easier to arrange a visit and treatment for you! However, as certain procedures are booked out several months, please be patient as we help you with finding the best time to have your surgery. Certain times of the year are popular with all patients so please be aware that availability will vary! For patients coming into town for face and neck lifts, we have several of our patients who are very happy to share their experience, expectations and advice with you. If we put you in touch with one of these patients, they will be under strict advice not to convince you to have surgery, but just to share their experience. We have found that there are aspects of the postoperative period that only a patient who has been through the experience can describe. Many of our patients have found this discussion very helpful. Please don’t take advantage of the kindness of these people and please respect their time and their privacy.

Sending photographs for us to review

It is always best to send photographs of the whole face and neck as shown in the montage below. Please ensure that someone else takes these photographs: selfies may be cute but are usually not very helpful!

Additionally, please send close-up photographs of the specific area of interest. As many of our patients have had several procedures before they see us, it is vital for you to obtain the original photographs prior to your surgeries and also any operation reports, medical reports and scans (on a disc, not just reports) so we have all the information we need. Most documents, other than the scans, can be e-mailed to us. Send the scans via mail or hand-carry them with you. We like to correspond with your local surgeons, so kindly bring their names and addresses as well. We are also happy to give advice to your local surgeon, if that saves you a trip!

How to take Photographs

Although the best photographs are taken with an SLR camera, these days other digital cameras and cell phones also take excellent photographs. If your camera or cell phone allows you a setting called a “Macro” setting, please put the camera on that “Macro” setting.

No selfies! But comments help...

This is what she wanted. And she knew it!

We managed to help her and give her a nice long-term result.

Step By Step

Stand in front of a blue (light blue to Oxford blue are best) background (a towel or sheet will suffice)
Have the photographer stand back to get the needed framing.
You can use the flash but it is very helpful to take two sets: one with a flash and another without a flash but indirect light like light through a window or from a light from the side (but not behind you).
All photographs must be taken with the face relaxed. When necessary, one photograph with you smiling but looking straight into the camera may be helpful, especially if trauma is involved.
Keep your head level: no posing!
When showing me your brows or eyelids, relax your brows.
Close-up photos of brows and eyelids can be taken as shown in the second set below.
If you are sending photographs for assessment for a face and neck lift, please send us photographs of yourself from the age of 18 onwards. In particular, if you have any photographs where you think “boy I looked great then!”, then please send us a copy of that photographs. We all look brilliant at 18 years, but ladies often look their best in their 30’s and in some cases at other ages.

"I had a excellent eye lift done by Dr. Patel. He knows what he is doing and is very pleasant. Dr.Patel was easy to get an appointment and he works with you. The office staff was very pleasant and made you feel calm." D. Gull Highly recommended for eye lift surgery - Salt Lake City, UT

How to take a Full Face Sequence of Photographs

Please take this series of photographs when sending in photographs for review. Keep the face neutral (no smiling or frowning) and take photographs in front of a blue background if possible

patel plastic surgery facelift male facelift and necklift

When sending photographs for review in men, please take this series of photographs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I send the information?

For Salt Lake City, Orem, Provo and Layton, please contact Jill ([email protected]) or Dena ([email protected]), telephone numbers 801 585 6641 o4 801 585 6646.
For St. George, please contact Stacie Hall at ([email protected]) 435 215-0014.
For London, England, contact Gill Oxleyl Tel: +44 (0)1883 712888 ([email protected]]

What will happen at my consultation?

We will have reviewed the records you send us ahead of time. A detailed history and clinical examination will be performed and we will give you an opinion. With elective procedures, it is always wise to think things through, as it were, and ensure you are only choosing to undertake procedures that you are comfortable with. You will never feel pressured when you come to see us.

What if I am having surgery?

Depending upon the type of surgery, we will discuss with you any anesthesia clearance that needs to be obtained. This will include a discussion about any blood thinners and other medication you take. On the day of the surgery, it is important to bring someone who can transport you to and from your hotel. Ideally, a family member. We will, whenever possible, arrange for you to have your prescriptions ahead of time so you have a chance to fill them.

How long will I have to stay in town?

This will depend upon the type of surgery. We will advise you about this prior to your arranging any surgery. Some patients drive 10 – 16 hours (one-way), in which case, of course, it is wise to stay overnight and sometimes longer. If you are flying, most patients can fly the day after surgery.

When will my sutures need to be removed?

This again depends upon the type of surgery. Many facial procedures are performed using “dissolving” sutures. However, with facelifts, browlifts, etc, there will be sutures that need to be removed in a few days to as long as two weeks after surgery. In many instances, we can make arrangements for them to be removed locally for you.

What about my follow-up?

We will ask you to send us specific photographs at particular intervals. This, again, will vary, depending upon the procedures performed. We always like to see all our patients ourselves following surgery. We will guide you as to when you would be best travelling to see us for your postoperative visits. We will also keep in touch with your local physician or surgeon.