Plastic Surgery Guide for Out-of-Town Patients

At Berks Plastic Surgery, we help patients from all over the country look and feel their very best through an array of cosmetic procedures and treatments. While everyone has their own reasons for traveling to see us, we most often hear that our patients choose Berks Plastic Surgery for our highly-skilled medical staff and patient care coordinators, our fair and transparent prices, and our award-winning board certified plastic surgeons. 

Whatever your reason for traveling to Berks Plastic Surgery, we’re glad you’ve decided to visit us! This guide is designed to make your surgery and your visit to Berks County as enjoyable and seamless as possible. We’ve included information about what to expect during your consultation, preparing for and recovering from your surgery, booking airline tickets and hotel rooms, and more.

About your consultation

Your plastic surgery consultation is very important to us. During this initial visit, you will meet with one of our board certified plastic surgeons to discuss the details of your desired procedure, including your procedure’s cost, your surgery date, and your recovery. Since you will be traveling from out-of-town, we will also cover a few details specific to traveling before and after plastic surgery.

We offer our patients two convenient cosmetic surgery consultation options, depending on your comfort level and location: in-person or virtual.

Scheduling your in-person Consultation

If you are able to travel to our Wyommissing office for your in-person consultation, one of our patient care coordinators will first meet with you to discuss your medical history, any past and current medications, and other pertinent information. Next, Dr. Reedy or Dr. Lindsay will meet with you in one of our consultation rooms to discuss your desired procedure. During this time, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, review before and after photos of patients who have had your procedure, and meet with the rest of your surgical team. If you are considering a breast augmentation, you will be able to “try on” different breast implant sizes and shapes.

Dr. Reedy or Dr. Lindsay will also discuss safety and travel details regarding your surgery with you, including preparing for your surgery, tips for optimizing your recovery, and traveling after undergoing surgery. They will also provide you with a quote for the total cost of your surgery.

If you are traveling to see us for your consultation, you may choose to schedule your surgery during this trip to reduce travel time and costs. If you are staying in Berks County during this time, you are in for a treat: our area offers a number of outstanding options for lodging, dining, entertainment, and relaxation, which are outlined below.

Scheduling your virtual consultation

If you prefer to stay in the comfort of your own home or are unable to travel for your initial consultation, we offer virtual consultations. During a virtual consultation, you will meet with one of our board certified plastic surgeons and one of our patient care coordinators via video conferencing.

Before your virtual consultation, we will need your:

  • Patient forms, including medical history.
  • Pictures of your areas of concern.

By reviewing this information prior to meeting with you, Dr. Reedy or Dr. Lindsay will be prepared to discuss your areas of concern and provide treatment recommendations.

Please note that there is a $200 fee for virtual consultations, which will be applied towards your procedure if you decide to move forward.

How to take great pre-consultation photos

If you won’t be able to meet with us in person prior to your cosmetic surgery, it’s very important that we receive high quality photos showcasing your area(s) of concern. Here are some tips for taking great pre-consultation photos:

  1. Make sure you are in a well-lit room with a solid-colored or simple, non-busy background. Set your camera to take photos at a large size and use high quality settings. We recommend using a digital camera to ensure your photos are clear, but a smartphone should suffice if you don’t have one available.
  2. Photograph your areas of concern so that they can be seen clearly and without obstruction. If your area of concern is on your body or breasts, this will require you to fully disrobe. We know it can be uncomfortable to take and send nude photographs online; however, you can rest assured that your privacy is our first priority.
  3. Take a picture directly facing the camera.
  4. Take a picture with your left side facing the camera. Enlist the help of a friend if necessary.
  5. Take a picture with your right side facing the camera.
  6. Take a picture with your body angled 45 degrees left of center.
  7. Take a picture with your body angled 45 degrees right of center.

When you’re finished, send your photos to brianna@berksplasticsurgery.com.

Scheduling your surgery

Once you’ve taken the time to review the information provided during your consultation, it’s time to schedule your surgery. 

First, one of our patient care coordinators will work with you to find a time that best fits your schedule. We know many patients choose to schedule their procedures in time to look their best for a major event, like a wedding or vacation, and this is completely appropriate. However, when looking at dates, keep in mind that you’ll need to take significant time off work and your regular activities to travel, have your surgery, and recover, so it’s important to give yourself plenty of downtime. 

Second, we will ask you to put down a deposit to secure your surgery date, which we will discuss with you during your consultation. Cash, major credit cards, and a cashier’s check are all acceptable forms of payment.

At Berks Plastic Surgery, we are committed to helping our patients undergo their desired procedures. In addition to accepting conventional forms of payment, we offer a variety of financing options and surgery specials to make your surgery more affordable.

Preparing for your surgery & recovery

All surgery comes with a recovery period, therefore it’s important to plan ahead for your recovery. Depending on your procedure, you can expect some swelling and bruising in the days to weeks following your surgery. During this time, it’s imperative that you follow all of your surgeon’s instructions to a tee, including taking any prescribed medications, refraining from any strenuous activity, and getting plenty of rest.

Traveling for your surgery necessitates a few logistical considerations on your behalf, such as arriving to Berks County at least a day or two prior to your surgery date, making sure your hotel has the proper post-surgical amenities (a wheelchair ramp if necessary, an airport shuttle, etc.), and planning adequate time to recover before departing.

If your surgery entails general anesthesia (your surgeon will discuss this with you), you can expect to feel groggy and “out of it” after your procedure. For this reason, it’s important that you have a friend, family member, or car service pick you up from our in-office operating suite and take you to your hotel. We also recommend having a friend or relative stay with you for at least 24 hours after your procedure to monitor your initial recovery.

What to avoid before surgery

In the weeks leading up to your surgery, be sure to avoid the following:

  • Smoking. If you are a smoker, it is imperative you avoid nicotine for at least a few weeks before and after your procedure.
  • Supplements. Cease taking all vitamins and supplements for around 10 days before and after your surgery, unless instructed otherwise by your surgeon. 
  • Blood thinners. Avoid taking any blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and heparin. Also avoid foods and drinks that slow blood clotting, such as green tea.

You will have the opportunity to discuss all supplements and medications you are currently taking with Dr. Reedy or Dr. Lindsay prior to your surgery. They will provide you with more information about stopping certain medications and avoiding certain foods prior to surgery.

Planning your trip to Berks County

In addition to arriving a day or two prior to your surgery, Drs. Reedy or. Lindsay may recommend planning a few extra travel days following your procedure. This will help ensure you have adequate time to safely and comfortably recover before getting on a plane. 

We recommend a three to five-day stay for the following procedures:

This timeline will give you roughly a two-day buffer on each end of your procedure to prepare and recover.

We recommend a two to three-day stay for the following procedures:

This timeline will give you roughly two days to prepare for your procedure and roughly three to five days to recover before traveling.

Before booking your plane tickets and lodging, we recommend sharing your potential itinerary with your patient care coordinator to double-check your dates match up. After all, it’s always good to have two people look over travel details together!

Booking your flight

When it comes to traveling to Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, you have multiple flight options. Most of our patients choose to fly in and out of Lancaster Airport (LNS), which is only a 35-minute drive from our office. 

Other nearby airports include Philadelphia International Airport (PHL, ~1 hr 20 minutes from our office), Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport (XLL, ~55-minute drive from our office), and Harrisburg International Airport (MDT, ~1 hour drive from our office). Your patient care coordinator will be happy to help you choose the most convenient airport based on where you’re visiting from.

About flying

If you must travel for longer than five hours, Dr. Reedy or Dr. Lindsay will provide additional instructions for you to follow to ensure your safety. These may include walking for at least five minutes every two hours, and flexing or extending your knees and ankles to improve your circulation.

Getting around

Getting to and from the Lancaster Airport and around Berks County is easy with a rental car, taxi, or rideshare service. There are many options to choose from, including:

Renting a car

The Lancaster Airport houses most major rental car companies, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and National. Learn more about Lancaster Airport rental cars.

Taxi & limousine services

There are a number of car services that will take you to and from the Reading area:

Lancaster car services

Reading car services

Reading rideshare services

Where to stay

Berks County has a number of highly rated hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts sure to make your stay both enjoyable and relaxing:*

Hotels

Residence Inn by Marriott Reading

45 Berkshire Court 
Wyomissing, PA 19610
(610) 376-6111

Proximity to Berks Plastic Surgery: 1.5 miles, 5-minute drive. Directions.

Courtyard by Marriott Reading Wyomissing

150 N Park Road
Reading, PA 19610
(610) 378-1137

Proximity to Berks Plastic Surgery: 2.7 miles, 9-minute drive. Directions.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading

701 Penn Street
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 375-8000

Proximity to Berks Plastic Surgery: 4.9 miles, 11-minute drive. Directions.

The Gables at Stirling Guest Hotel

1120 Centre Avenue
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 373-1522

Proximity to Berks Plastic Surgery: 5.8 miles, 11-minute drive. Directions.

Inns and bed & breakfasts

If you’d prefer a more intimate stay than a hotel can provide, Reading offers a host of inns and bed & breakfast options via Airbnb.

Eating and exploring in Reading

As both Dr. Reedy and Dr. Lindsay will tell you, it’s important to eat healthily after your surgery to facilitate a smooth recovery and enhance your results. And, while you’ll need to stay in your hotel room following your surgery, your travel companion will undoubtedly want to explore charming Wyomissing and Reading. Thankfully, Berks County has plenty of delightful places to eat and explore.

Where to dine

For the first few days following your procedure, we recommend ordering takeout or delivery from these Berks County restaurants:**

  • Get your favorite dishes from Reading’s best restaurants delivered right to your hotel room using a delivery app like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and GrubHub.
  • Chen Vegetarian House serves up some of Reading’s best vegetarian Chinese stir-fry and noodle dishes, packed with fresh veggies and soy protein.
  • Pike Cafe offers a large and varied menu. Choose from comfort food staples, like their World-Famous Truffle Fries, as well as healthier options, like their Blackened Chicken Penne Caprese or their White Vegetarian Pizza.

Once you’re feeling more rested and ready to dine out, choose from these highly-rated restaurants:

Things to do & see

After you’ve had adequate time to lay low and recover, you’ll be eager to stretch your legs and explore your new surroundings. Here are our favorite things to do and see in Berks County:

Places to explore by foot

Berks County has no shortage of breathtaking areas to stroll. Once you feel rested and capable, explore these outdoor spots:

Places to visit

Your recovery buddy is going to need some entertainment while you’re resting up. Have him or her check out these unique spots (and join them when you’re feeling up to it!):

*Before booking a place to stay, make sure your lodging offers the proper amenities to accommodate your post-surgery needs. 

**We do not endorse any of the restaurants or businesses presented in this guide. We present this guide as a resource to help you plan your trip.

Scheduling a consultation with our plastic surgeons

If you are interested in learning more or would like to schedule your in-person or virtual consultation with Dr. Reedy or Dr. Lindsay, please contact our office online or call (610) 320-0200. We look forward to helping ensure your trip to Berks Plastic Surgery and Berks County is rewarding and relaxing.