FAQs

Elective treatments are not covered by health insurance. All fees are to be paid at, or prior to, the time of treatment by cash, personal check, or credit card. Major credit cards are accepted.

Please be sure to complete the intake forms that were emailed or texted to you prior to your visit. We prefer that you arrive without make-up to all treatment visits. Currently, we ask that all patients wear masks when they arrive to our office and will be given further instructions and assistance by our receptionist or staff member.

At your pre-op visit, we will review instructions, consent forms, what to expect after surgery, and medications. We will take before photos so please be sure to arrive without make-up or eyelash extensions. We will also collect your remaining surgery balance that day. Any additional thoughts, concerns or questions will be reviewed at that time as well.

Some patients might require medical clearance and is in part dependent on the type of surgery and existing medical conditions. Even young healthy patients will need routine blood work. Medical clearance and lab work should be obtained several weeks prior to your procedure as this helps to avoid problems, delays, and last-minute cancellations on the day of your surgery.

You should not take medications that may thin the blood, making you more susceptible to bleeding and bruising for 14 days after surgery. These medications include but are not limited to: Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, and other pain medications. If you are unsure of any medications, please discuss this with Dr. Fagien, Dr. Vaca, or a member of our staff. You can take Tylenol for pain. If you are taking herbal supplements, please discontinue these 14 days before your procedure. In most situations, it is advisable to refrain from drinking red wine and other food / drinks which will be again discussed during your pre-operative visit.

We can provide a list of the preferred hotels in our area, some of which we have corporate accounts with for discounted rates.

Most surgical procedures are performed at the Boca Raton Outpatient Surgery and Laser Center (BROSLC). BROSLC was just named by Newsweek Magazine the # 1 outpatient surgery center in the US. You will receive a call from the surgery center the day before surgery to confirm the time of surgery. You should plan to be there 1-1.5 hours before the scheduled operative time. If you do not hear from our office or the facility by 3pm the day before, please call the office.

Yes, the facility can arrange for transportation to and from the facility, the day of your surgery, from Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Deerfield Beach. If you are outside that area, please speak with the office staff.

You must have an empty stomach to have local anesthesia with sedation (twilight anesthesia) OR general anesthesia. You MAY NOT have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before UNLESS:
You may be instructed to take certain medication by the office on the day of surgery and this should be accomplished with a small sip of water only. Do not eat meals heavy in garlic or drink alcohol for 72 hours before your surgery.

If you get sick or have a fever, please call our office to discuss as this may require you to reschedule your surgery.

On the day of your surgery a secure setting will be provided for your belongings. Please bring your driver’s license or other form of identification and your payment method for the facility and anesthesia fees with you.

Please wear loose clothing that either zippers or buttons up the front. This will allow for easier dressing and undressing on the day of surgery. Also be sure to remove all jewelry before arriving to the facility. This includes all jewelry in all areas of body piercing when possible.

Specific to eyelid surgery, your eyes may feel sticky and dry the first few days to weeks after surgery. Your vision may also be blurry from the swelling and healing ointment. Bruising and inflammation can last from one week to a month, but there should be little discomfort. To minimize swelling and speed healing, apply cold compresses and keep your head upright as much as possible while sleeping. You may also be given eye ointments or eye drops. Expect to return to the office from 1 to 12 days after surgery to have your stitches removed. After two weeks, you can wear makeup as usual. Detailed instructions will be provided both verbally and in writing for your aftercare.

Recovery from other facial, breast and body procedures vary depending on the specific procedure performed. Expectations and recovery will be discussed during your consultation.

Depending on the procedure, your initial recovery may last 1-3 weeks.

Expect to be in recovery for approximately one hour after the procedure. When you are comfortable, alert, and able to drink liquids without difficulty, you will be cleared for discharge from the center.

Yes, you will need to arrange to have a family member or friend pick you up from the surgery center. By law, you are required to have an escort to leave the premises, and this person may also receive important information from Dr. Fagien or Dr. Vaca and the nursing staff after surgery. Due to the medications administered by the anesthesiologist, most patients DO NOT remember instructions or other information that is relayed to them in the recovery room. It is also advisable, as with any surgical procedure, to have someone with you the night of your surgery date. Although extremely rare, it is always better to have someone with you the first night to assist you for any of your needs.

You will need to return to the office to be seen by Dr. Fagien or Dr. Vaca. The timing and number of follow-up visits will depend on the type of surgical procedure performed and your individual healing. Sometimes, we can / will arrange for virtual follow up visits if that is more convenient for you.

Regarding eyelid surgery, pain is not usually a significant issue, and some patients will not require any pain medication after surgery. Nonetheless, you will be given/offered a prescription for post-operative pain medication at your pre-op visit prior to surgery. If you do not wish to take prescription pain medication, you can take extra strength Tylenol (not Advil, Motrin, or aspirin). You may take the pain medication, if necessary, immediately after the surgery.

Regarding other facial, breast, and body procedures, the anticipated amount of postoperative pain will vary but is typically well managed with your prescribed pain medication.

Severe pain not alleviated by the narcotic prescription medication, or pain that seems to worsen with or without pain medication is considered unusual. Call the office if you have concerns about your pain that you believe is more extreme and worsening. Discomfort at the site of facial surgery is often reduced with cold compresses soaked in ice water, rather than with prescription medication.

If you experience significant bleeding, call Dr. Fagien or Dr. Vaca immediately. Slight “oozing” of blood onto the compresses or surgical dressing after your procedure is common. Cold compresses usually reduce this.

You may experience mild blurring of vision for many reasons, including (but not limited to) the use of ophthalmic ointment, swelling and protective temporary stitches / sutures that are applied during surgery. Reading may be difficult after surgery and this should be expected. Any sudden loss of vision or dramatic changes in vision that may be associated with abrupt swelling should be reported to Dr. Fagien or Dr. Vaca immediately.

You might experience some mild, generalized discomfort from anesthesia, including mild sore throat, dry mouth, nausea, and fatigue. These side effects usually subside in 24 hours.

Beyond the use of the cool compresses and ointment, you should not apply makeup to the surgical areas or incisions for the first 2 weeks after surgery (unless you are instructed otherwise).

This depends on the type of surgery performed. For facial surgery, you may shower the day after your surgery but be mindful that the spray of water is directed at the BACK of your head and not directly at your face or incisions.

For breast and body procedures, you can shower 2 days after surgery. Keep in mind that you should not swim of take tub baths (i.e. submerge the surgical incisions beneath water) until cleared to do so.

This depends on the type of surgery performed. Generally, walking is encouraged but you should not attempt any exercise that significantly elevates your heart rate and blood pressure (until cleared by Dr. Fagien or Dr. Vaca), as this can increase your risk of post-operative bleeding and swelling.

After facial surgery, most patients may resume cosmetic injectables 3 weeks after surgery.