Q. What should I bring to my first appointment?
A. Please make sure you bring your insurance card, photo ID, and co-pay, If you have an upcoming appointment and would like to fill out your new patient paperwork ahead of time, please navigate to this link. You received an email from “Patient Portal“ upon scheduling your appointment. This email will help you access your account. If you cannot find this email, please contact our office and we will gladly resend it.
Q. What can I expect during my initial visit?
A. Your initial consultation is designed for you to meet Dr. Seiff and his staff and have the opportunity to discuss your concerns and how they can be alleviated. In most instances, you will first be screened by a staff member who will review your medical history and discuss your reasons for visiting our office. You will then be examined by Dr. Seiff, who will discuss in greater detail your medical or aesthetic concerns. Together you will explore the treatment options available and formulate a plan that specifically addresses your needs. If surgery is indicated, you will have the opportunity to meet the surgical coordinator and begin the scheduling process.
Q. If I decide to have surgery, when can it be scheduled?
A. You will have the opportunity to meet the surgical coordinator at your initial consultation. If possible, you will be given a surgery date at that time. Otherwise you will receive a phone call within a few days to discuss available surgery dates. Scheduling depends on several factors, including the availability of both Dr. Seiff and the surgery center, obtainment of medical clearance from your primary care physician, and in certain cases, insurance pre-certification. The average time from initial consultation to surgery is generally 3-4 weeks.
Q. Where will my surgery be performed?
A. Dr. Seiff performs the majority of his surgeries at the Delaware Surgery Center, located at the Eden Hill Medical Center in Dover, DE. It is on the first floor of the building in which our main office is located. If you are a patient of our Lewes office, your pre- and post-operative care can still be provided at the Lewes location; only the surgery itself will be in Dover. The Delaware Surgery Center is approximately 40 minutes north of the Lewes office. Directions will be provided by our office staff.
Q. What should I expect on my surgery day?
A. Specific instructions will depend on the actual procedure and the level of anesthesia administered, and will be discussed with you in detail prior to your surgery. Generally, if you are receiving sedation for your procedure, you will be instructed not to eat anything after midnight the night before your procedure. You make take any necessary medications the morning of surgery with small sips of water. You will also need a driver on that day. You should plan to be with us for several hours to account for surgical preparation, actual surgery time, and ample recovery. Patients undergoing local procedures without sedation may have a light breakfast, and in certain cases may drive themselves home.
Q:What Insurance do you accept?
- Highmark BCBS
- Aetna
- Most Cigna plans
- United Healthcare
- Tricare
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- NO Worker’s Compensation or auto insurance
Q. What should I expect after my surgery?
A. Recovery periods will vary based on the patient and the type of procedure performed. In most cases you will have stitches at your incision sites, and will need to apply ointment to these areas multiple times a day for several weeks. Many times these sutures will dissolve on their own, but certain cases require permanent stitches that will be removed by Dr. Seiff at approximately one week. Bandages are usually not necessary. Additionally, ice or cool compresses should be used frequently for a few days following your procedure to prevent bruising and swelling. Every patient is different, but in most cases the majority of bruising resolves within 1-2 weeks of surgery. Pain tends to be very minimal. Dr. Seiff likes to tell patients, “You will look worse than you feel for a few days.” Feeling good, however, is not an excuse to push it. Take it easy for a few days, use your ice and your ointment, and allow the body to heal.
Q. How much is the surgery going to cost?
A. If your surgery is to correct a medical or functional condition it will likely be covered by your insurance, although you may be responsible for deductibles or copays. If your surgery is deemed to be cosmetic, you become responsible for the full cost of the procedure. In order to provide you with accurate fees for cosmetic procedures, Dr. Seiff needs to see and evaluate you. Each patient is different and has his or her own combination of concerns and aesthetic goals which must be addressed individually and personally. As a result, our staff will review with you the cost of various procedures and payment options prior to scheduling your surgery. Our office will require a deposit to confirm the date of surgery, and the balance of payment before the surgery is performed.
