How do I find out what I need and the cost?
A personal consultation with Dr. Zweig will help you determine which procedures are best suited to your goals. Plan to spend at least 1.5- 2 hours for your visit.
As an investment in you, we want you to be able to focus on your “special” time with us. Bringing children with you could be a distraction. We encourage you to make other arrangements for your children.
If you are unable to keep an appointment, we ask that you kindly provide us at least 48 hours notice. Your courtesy will make it possible to give your appointment time to another patient.
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What can I expect at my consultation?
You will be greeted by our receptionist and asked to fill out some brief paperwork. Next, you will meet our patient coordinator who will speak with you briefly and introduce you to Dr. Zweig.
At that point, Dr. Zweig will briefly discuss your goals with you. He will inform the video imaging specialist which procedures he feels will be potentially beneficial. The specialist will capture your image and edit it while you have an in-depth discussion with Dr. Zweig. Later you will see first-hand what his recommendations look like on your own face.
Dr. Zweig allows a substantial amount of time to explain how each procedure is performed and what it could do for you. He will go over healing times and show you photos of other patients who have had what he is recommending to you. It is your private time to ask questions and for you to be candid about your expectations and goals.
Dr. Zweig and the patient coordinator will accompany you to view the edited video. In order to make sure the changes are conservative and fairly realistic, Dr. Zweig personally review each edited picture for accuracy in portraying what he expects to achieve surgically. Although not a guarantee, Dr. Zweig feels it is an important tool to explain what can and cannot be achieved.
After viewing your edited video, you have an opportunity to discuss Dr. Zweig’s recommendations with the patient coordinator and choose which procedure or combination of procedures interests you and the choices of anesthesia which include local with sedation, twilight [intravenous] or general. She can provide further help in the decision making process. Since each case is different, there are no standard fees. The patient counselor will at that time provide in writing, costs for each treatment plan you choose. Costs will be broken down into physician fees, operating rooms, and anesthesia if applicable. If you wish, she also will connect you with a patient or two who is willing to talk with you about their experiences.
This also is an opportunity to reserve a date in Dr. Zweig's busy schedule. You may if you wish schedule a date that best fits your work and personal activities.
The fees for facial plastic surgical and non-surgical procedures are not inexpensive due to the time, skill, and experience required. Never the less, most people can afford to do something for themselves even if it is a skin rejuvenation program starting less than $50.00.
“It was a struggle for me to come up with the money. I considered it an investment in myself. I had no idea how excited I would be at the way I look. I am so energized and happy. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Dr Zweig and the staff made it so comfortable and for me.”
-Marla, 43, Atlanta
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What about privacy?
We stress that your entire visit and medical record are treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Your photographs are never used without your consent. Should Dr. Zweig wish to use your photos for educational or other purposes, you will be formally asked to sign a release.
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What does the consultation cost?
The $100 fee for your consultation includes your visit as described and as well any future consultation time with Dr. Zweig. When you schedule your surgery, this fee will be applied to your total charges.
What is included in the cost estimates that I’ll get?
The fees for surgery are given as all-inclusive for the pre-operative appointment, the surgical fee, the operating room, the anesthesiologist [if applicable] and all post-operative care.
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How and when do I pay?
It is our policy that a 10% deposit is given at the time of scheduling the surgery to secure the date. The remainder of the fee is to be paid at least two weeks in advance of the actual surgery usually at your pre-operative appointment.
At this the time you sign your consents, are given your post-op instructions as well as any prescriptions. Dr. Zweig also performs a thorough physical examination.
We accept cash, checks, MasterCard and Visa. Financing is available. The Cosmetic Fee plan also provides payment options. You may also call our patient counselor for more options at 404-252-9991.
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Are there any extras?
Depending on the treatment plan, you may need to purchase and take prescription medications prior to or after your surgery. These may include, for example, antibiotics or medications for pain.
Also based on age and health status certain preliminary pre-operative testing may be required, such as blood counts and EKGs (electrocardiograms)... Your health insurance often will cover these costs.
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What are the risks?
There are inherent risks associated with any surgical procedure, even one as simple as a tooth extraction. Risk can be defined in two important ways: the risk of surgical complications, or the risk of being disappointed in the outcome.
Dr. Zweig’s uses every tool at his fingertips to explain what realistically can be achieved and the video imager is very helpful in this communication process. He will sometimes tell a patient he would not do the surgery if he feels he cannot meet their expectations or if he feels the procedure they are asking for is not good for them.
Surgical complications are minimized by careful screening for medical problems. Then, superb surgical techniques and maticulous follow-ups combined with pre-operative and post-operative precautionary antibiotics cause complications to be minimal.
Dr. Zweig is the only surgeon who operates on you and he is personally on call for his post-operative patients 24/7.
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What are the choices of anesthesia?
Many procedures can be performed with heavy sedation (an injection) and a local anesthetic to make the specific area numb. You may be aware of your surroundings but will be comfortable.
You also have a choice of twilight sedation where intravenous medications are given and you are completely asleep. A local anesthetic is also given to supplement the twilight anesthesia.
Dr. Zweig may recommend a general anesthetic. Even under general anesthesia, he also uses a local anesthetic to numb the area; therefore a minimum amount of medications are needed for anesthesia. Because of this local numbing medicine, even patients who have many long procedures wake up quickly feeling comfortable.
Both intravenous twilight and general are administered by a board certified M.D. Anesthesiologist for maximum safety and comfort.
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What about pain?
Surprisingly, most procedures are pain-free. It is amazing that most patients do not even take their pain medication. (Depending on the procedure using a scale from 1 to 10, for most patients, eyelid surgery is a 1 and rhinoplasty is a 2). Our patient coordinator and Dr Zweig will be truthful as to what to expect.
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What about recovery?
There must be a responsible adult available, to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you the first night. While we have nursing staff and overnight facilities available, almost all patients choose the comfort of going to their own home with a friend or relative. In the case of our many out-of-town patients, there is a choice of local hotels to fit all budgets.
Recovery varies with the patient and procedure. With many procedures, returning to work or going out in public is limited only by your desire to have others know you’ve had surgery because you will feel good.
Depending on the surgical procedure, there may be swelling, areas of discoloration or bruising. That varies from patient to patient, and does not affect the ultimate outcome.
Temporary use of corrective cosmetics helps you return to normal activities as soon as possible. We will advise you of the most effective ones.
At your consultation, recovery times will be explained in depth. There usually are patients that have had the particular procedures you are interested in, that are willing to share their experiences relative to their recovery and discomfort.
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What about scarring?
From his years of experience, Dr. Zweig has developed special placement of incisions in inconspicuous locations as well as techniques to minimize recovery time. Most incisions heal virtually undetectable.
How long will the surgery last and look good?
As soon as the surgery is over, we begin to age. Some procedures do last longer than others but certainly the aging process is subtle but progressive. You will always look better than if you had nothing done. As an example, if one of a pair of identical twins has a procedure, immediately he would look better than the other twin. As the years go by the twin that has had surgery will continue to age but will still look younger than the other twin.
The techniques Dr. Zweig uses are particularly chosen to give you the longest lasting results. Small enhancements over the years can keep a patient looking fresh and younger but new signs of aging may require attention and eventually some patients choose to touch up or repeat a particular procedure in order to maintain their appearance. We can turn back the clock with facial plastic procedures but we are unable to stop the aging process.
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