Out of State Patients

Out-of-State and International Patients

We are proud to care for many patients who travel to St. Louis from across the country and internationally for our specialized procedures, revision expertise, and comprehensive approach to body contouring surgery. We understand that traveling for surgery requires a great deal of trust, and our goal is to make the entire process as smooth, organized, and comfortable as possible from consultation through recovery and follow-up care.

Initial Consultation

Most out-of-state and international patients begin with a virtual consultation with Dr. Cabbabe. If you prefer an in-person consultation, please let us know, as we are happy to accommodate this. We perform virtual consultations regularly and are able to accurately determine the best procedures for most patients in the majority of cases. However, some patients may still require an in-person visit before final recommendations are made.

The consultation fee is the same for both virtual and in-person consultations and will be collected prior to your appointment.

Before your consultation, patients are asked to submit photos so Dr. Cabbabe can review them in advance and have them available during the consultation not only to discuss the surgical plan, but also to demonstrate incision placement, areas of skin removal, and expected contour changes.

A virtual consultation does not replace an in-person physical examination. All out-of-state patients must be seen in person at least once prior to surgery so that Dr. Cabbabe can confirm the final surgical plan based on a physical exam. Most out-of-state patients are seen in the office the day before surgery for their pre-operative visit and examination to confirm the final surgical plan and ensure there are no last-minute surprises or changes on the day of surgery. Traveling earlier is always encouraged when possible.

Take your first step here: Request a Consultation

International Patients

For our international patients, we offer communication and consultation coordination through our WhatsApp Business account, which uses our main office phone number. International patients may use WhatsApp to communicate with our office, ask questions, and schedule virtual consultations. Please note that consultation fees and surgical payments cannot be processed through WhatsApp and must be completed securely over the phone with our office.

Virtual Consultation Instructions

Before your virtual appointment, please review our detailed instructions for photo submission, appointment setup, and how to prepare for your consultation.

Virtual Consultation Instructions:

Travel Timeline and Planning

Once you decide to move forward with surgery, our team will help you understand the timing and travel requirements for your procedure.

We are conveniently located approximately 25 minutes from Lambert International Airport. Our office is located in Mercy South Medical Center in the “B” Medical Office Building on the south side of the hospital, Suite 281B.

Patients are expected to arrive in St. Louis at least one full day before their scheduled surgery so they can be seen in the office for their pre-operative visit and to allow time for potential travel delays. Delays due to travel will result in cancellation and applicable cancellation fees, so patients should plan accordingly.

For major procedures, out-of-state and international patients should plan to remain in St. Louis for a minimum of 10 days, although staying longer is strongly recommended to support proper healing and allow adequate time for early follow-up care.

Patients who are flying should plan to stay in St. Louis for at least 10 days after surgery. Patients who are driving and live within approximately 6 hours may be able to return home the day after surgery, depending on the procedure performed and how they are recovering.

All out-of-state and international patients are seen in our office at least once after surgery prior to leaving St. Louis to ensure that early healing is progressing appropriately and that it is safe to travel.

Because the early stages of recovery can be physically demanding, we strongly encourage patients to travel with a trusted family member or friend. Having assistance with transportation, mobility, medications, meals, and day-to-day care can make a significant difference in both safety and comfort during recovery.

If you are unable to travel with someone, our office can assist in coordinating private nursing care during your recovery period.

Private Nursing Information

Please note that both hospital policy and Dr. Cabbabe’s policy require that you be discharged into the care of a responsible adult who can transport you from the surgical facility to your recovery location. Transportation by taxi, Uber, Lyft, or similar services is not permitted.

Follow-Up Care After You Return Home

Your care does not end when you leave St. Louis. We will continue to follow your recovery and provide ongoing support through virtual post-operative appointments. If needed, we will guide you if an in-person visit becomes necessary.

For planning purposes, please anticipate follow-up visits at approximately:

• 1 week
• 1 month
• 3 months

We do offer cosmetic surgery insurance through Aesthetisure, which provides coverage for up to 45 days for post-operative complications in case issues arise after you return home.

Questions About Traveling for Surgery?

Please contact our office at (314) 842-5885 or request a consultation to get started.