Plastic Surgery Questions

How can I contact NSPS?

You can call our office during normal business hours (8-4:30 M-F) at 312-266-6240. After hours, this number will forward to an answering service which will know how to reach Dr. Fine, Dr. Schierle, or the resident on call. You can also email us at [email protected] or fill out our Chicago Plastic Surgery Contact Form.

Where do the doctors at Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, S.C. (NSPS) perform surgery?

Our doctors perform surgery at a number of locations throughout Chicago including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Shriners Hospital for Children – Chicago, and the 900 North Michigan Surgery Center. Northwestern Memorial Hospital includes operating rooms at Prentice Women’s Hospital, the Feinberg Pavilion, and Lavin Pavilion.

Where is the office located and how do I get there?

The office is located at 676 North Saint Clair Street directly west of the main Northwestern Memorial Hospital Pavilion. Parking is available at multiple garages nearby. The main garage with covered parking and covered walkway to the office is accessed via Superior Street eastbound or Huron street westbound (between Saint Clair and Fairbanks Court). You may use the second-floor pedestrian bridge to access the hospital and on the right will see another bridge to cross Saint Clair Street and enter the 676 Building. The elevators to the 15th floor are on the right. If you enter 676 North Saint Clair at the street level, take the elevators to the right of the security desk to the 15th floor. We are in suite 1575.

What is the initial office visit like?

We will want to know your previous medical history, planned surgeries, and, most importantly, your individual desires for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. We place significant emphasis on a patient’s particular wishes and feelings towards the pros and cons of surgery, and are careful to discuss all options available to you. After an initial discussion, our doctors will perform a physical exam of the areas for surgery. This will help them to fully understand all available options for your cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. The meeting will finish with a discussion to answer questions and address any concerns you may have.

What is the focus of your practice?

Through extensive experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, we have focused our practice primarily on surgery of the head, neck, breast and body. This includes both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery in these areas. Breast reconstruction includes free tissue transfer and implant reconstruction. Cosmetic surgery of the breast and face is also a focus, including breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, facelift, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery. Other procedures, such as liposuction, tummy tuck, body contouring, and wrinkle reduction with BOTOX® or dermal fillers are also offered.

How do I schedule an appointment to see an NSPS physician?

You can call our office anytime during business hours to make an appointment to see Dr. Fine or Dr. Schierle. Depending on our schedule, we anticipate we will be able to offer you an appointment within 2-4 weeks.For those patients desiring to have surgery within the next 4-6 weeks, we will do our best to accommodate your scheduling needs. Alternatively, if you are still simply gathering information and have not yet decided to have surgery, you may also try contacting our office through the website and our physician assistants can be of assistance in answering any general questions you may have.

If I decide to have surgery, how long must I wait?

Depending on the surgery you desire, we expect to be able to accommodate you within 4-6 weeks. Every effort is made to accommodate Breast reconstruction after mastectomy or lumpectomy as quickly as possible and can often be scheduled within 2-3 weeks.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SUBMIT ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THROUGH OUR CONTACT FORM

Cosmetic Surgery FAQ

At Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, we provide a variety of cosmetic procedures, including breast augmentations, rhinoplasty, liposuction, and more. However, we would never expect a patient to come in with no questions about the procedure they are thinking about. Browse through our FAQ’s, and schedule a consultation with us if you are interested in learning more about a cosmetic treatment.

Do I need a consultation for surgery?

We always recommend a consultation before surgery. It is important for us to meet with you in person to discuss your goals and review your options for surgery. This allows us to come up with an individualized plan unique to your surgical needs.

What is involved in a cosmetic surgery consultation?

When you come in for a consultation you’ll be meeting with our board certified plastic surgeons and physician assistants to review your goals for surgery. We will discuss which procedures are best suited for you and can assist with achieving your goals. We will review your medical history and discuss a surgical plan, as well as perform a physical examination of the areas that concern you. Finally, you’ll meet with our surgical coordinator to discuss financial responsibility and review a scheduling timeline for surgery.

Does my insurance cover cosmetic surgery procedures?

Insurance does not cover procedures that are considered cosmetic. We can discuss this in more detail at your consultation. We do offer financing options including Care Credit to help with the costs of cosmetic surgery.

How do I prepare for a cosmetic surgery consultation?

You can best prepare for your consultation by putting together a list of questions for your surgeon to ask during your consultation. Be prepared to review your medical history with us so we can ensure your eligibility for surgery and provide the best plan of care for your surgical needs.

What should I do before a cosmetic procedure?

Before a cosmetic surgery you can take most of your normal daily medications up until surgery day. It is best to avoid any blood thinners including NSAIDs about a week before surgery if possible. The surgery center or hospital will call you the day before with specific timing, including when to stop drinking and eating before your surgery time. You will need a ride home after your surgery, but in most cases you should be able to perform all your daily activities on your own even later that day!

What can I do if I’m unhappy with previous cosmetic surgery?

If you have had cosmetic surgery in the past but are unsatisfied with the results we would be happy to see you for a consultation. There are many revision procedures that can be performed in order to help improve your situation. We are here to help!

What is the difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery?

Cosmetic surgery would be considered any procedure that creates a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, but is usually not medically necessary. Cosmetic surgery for example would be a breast augmentation or a tummy tuck procedure. Reconstructive surgery is often considered a medically necessary procedure, such as a hernia repair or breast reconstruction following a breast cancer diagnosis. However it can also describe revisionary surgery that may be necessary due to congenital defects or other surgeries. There is significant overlap here, as we are always concerned about aesthetic outcomes for every patient regardless of cosmetic or reconstructive reasons.

Is cosmetic surgery safe for me?

Your Physician will inform you if you are a good candidate for surgery. Upon review of your health history, your team of medical doctors, surgeons and anesthesiologists will ensure that you are medically cleared to have your desired procedure/s performed. Your physician should never allow you to undergo a procedure that is not safe for you.

How much time should I plan for recovery after cosmetic surgery?

You should feel a lot better within a day or two after cosmetic surgery. Typically, 1-2 weeks is enough time to “take off.” It will usually take a few months for final results, depending on the procedure.

When can I return to regular exercise after cosmetic surgery?

After cosmetic surgery, you can return to normal daily activities right away (showering, walking, cooking, etc). You are generally cleared to return to light physical activity/exercise about 1-2 weeks after your procedure. Typically, depending on the exact nature of your surgery, you are cleared to return to normal exercise with no little to no restrictions at 6-8 weeks post surgery. Every body is different, so these may vary from patient to patient

What is the cost of Plastic Surgery?

To learn more about specific procedures, please go to the corresponding FAQ:

Facial Procedures

Breast Procedures FAQ

Body Procedures

Non-Surgical/Med Spa FAQ