Dr. Bartell answers these commonly asked questions (FAQ).
The following are answers to questions I commonly receive from new patients. Please feel free to ask me if your question was not answered below.
We try to make the cost for all of our cosmetic procedures as affordable and predictable as possible. The cost for many procedures, such as most breast surgeries, is fixed. Costs for other body re-contouring procedures can vary, depending on the amount of work necessary. A brief exam would be necessary to determine the cost. Regardless of the procedure, a firm price quote will be provided at the initial consultation along with the financing options available. Schedule that consultation here.
Yes. We offer financing through Summit Credit Union in Waunakee and a surgical financing organization. Fees are expected prior to the day of operation. Learn more about financing by calling our offices 608-271-0500.
If a surgeon doesn’t learn how to do a procedure during his training, it is unlikely that he would learn to do it during his practice. I mastered the technique of augmentation through the armpit during my training 20 years ago. Almost anyone can perform an adequate breast augmentation in the Madison area, but I am the only surgeon who can routinely perform an excellent augmentation with no scars on the breast.
I explain more about the transaxillary procedure. https://youtu.be/9TMWmR0EemI
Since I only use saline implants, there is no reason that the implants will ever need to be replaced unless there is a problem. Saline implants are guaranteed by the manufacturer to last for your lifetime and most patients never have to do anything. While there always is a chance that additional surgery could be necessary, most patients experience no problems with their implants.
Recovery time depends on the procedure performed.
After breast augmentation and liposuction procedures, most patients with desk jobs can be back to work in four or five days. Full activities are allowed in about two and a half weeks. Abdominoplasty and breast re-contouring patients need a few additional days to recover.
Demand for cosmetic surgical procedures varies with the time of year. Predictably, the late winter and early spring are the busiest times. During those months, there is usually a four-week space between the initial consultation and the actual surgery. At other times of the year, it is not unusual to get your surgery performed within two weeks of the initial consultation.
Being a solo practitioner, I am able to provide a level of care that the large-group plastic surgeons will never be able to match. We are a very private, responsive and provide a level of personalized care unavailable in a large clinic setting.
The surgical procedure does not end the patient-physician relationship. Following surgery, I routinely check with my patients to ensure satisfactory outcomes. I also make myself available 24/7. On the rare occasions when I’m out of the country, another board-certified plastic surgeon is always available to address any questions or problems.
Our surgeries are performed in a facility accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. It is re-accredited regularly to ensure complete safety. In fact, surgery in an outpatient facility is actually safer than a hospital from an infection standpoint.
The longevity of cosmetic procedure depends not only on the procedure, but also on the genetics and behavior of the patient. However, on average, I usually inform patients that surgeries “turn back the clock” seven to ten years.
It is my policy that treatment of any complication will be performed without an additional surgeon’s fee. There will be a minor fee to cover costs if the treatment requires an anesthetic.
It is very important to do your research before choosing a plastic surgeon. In Madison, Wisconsin, it is easy to find a board-certified plastic surgeon. In addition, you should insist on someone who specializes in the procedure in which you are most interested. Finally, it is important that your procedure is performed in an accredited facility. All of these factors are will help ensure that you receive the most professional and personal treatment possible.
Do your homework and ask any surgeon you are interviewing these 5 questions.
9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday and Tuesday
9:00 am to 11:30 pm Friday
Surgical procedures are performed on Wednesday and Thursday
9:00 am to 11:30 pm Friday
Surgical procedures are performed on Wednesday and Thursday
Schedule a consultation on a Monday or Tuesday.
Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is at www.abplsurg.org.
The Wisconsin Society of Plastic Surgeons it at www.wisocietyplasticsurgery.com
The American Board of Medical Specialties is the certifying agency which oversees all the “legitimate” boards. They are at www.abms.org
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is at www.abplsurg.org.
The Wisconsin Society of Plastic Surgeons it at www.wisocietyplasticsurgery.com
The American Board of Medical Specialties is the certifying agency which oversees all the “legitimate” boards. They are at www.abms.org
Why should I choose you to perform my surgery?
I am certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Only surgeons who have completed rigorous training in a plastic surgery residency can receive this certification.
I routinely perform more than 200 procedures every year, including breast augmentations, breast lifts, abdominoplasty and liposuction procedures. I have successfully performed hundreds of these procedures over the past 20 years.
Typical results from previous patients can be viewed in my office (as well as on my website). All post-operative photos are taken three months after surgery, so the scars will still be quite noticeable.
I perform surgical procedures in my fully accredited surgery center, which is located within my office. I utilize a team of experienced professionals to assist me with every procedure.
All patients are given detailed instructions on what to expect following surgery. In addition, I make myself personally available to answer any questions or address any potential problems via phone after surgery.