For Patients
Consultations
Your in depth consultation is a vital part of your experience at Northeast Surgery Center. During your consultation you will meet in person with the surgeon who will be performing your procedure to discuss your needs and desired outcome, to review step-by-step details of your procedure to ensure you are comfortable with the process, to address any questions or concerns you may have, and to review after-care to make your healing process as smooth and quick as possible.
Additional information about our procedures and after care recommendations can be found on our Services and Procedures and our Patient Education pages.
To schedule a consultation please call our offices or request an appointment online.
About Mohs Surgery Consultations
Why is a consultation important?
To ensure that we are certain about the site that needs treatment, so we can evaluate your current health status to ensure you have the best possible surgical outcome, and to help you thoroughly understand how the procedure is performed and after surgery care of the treated site.
Do I need a physician's referral for a consultation?
Yes, you will be referred following a skin biopsy confirming skin cancer done by your general dermatologist.
What will be discussed at the consultation?
Your specific procedure, details about your pre-procedure preparations and after care instructions. We will also address any questions or concerns you may have.
Who do I meet with?
You will meet with a nurse and then the physician who will perform your procedure.
Will the consultation always be done at the office where the procedure will happen?
Yes.
Are consultations completely separate from procedures or can everything be done in one appointment?
The consultation is generally a separate appointment conducted leading up to your procedure.
Do I always need a consultation before the procedure?
Generally yes, but if you are a repeat patient, this may be accomplished through a telephone call with our nurses.
Who should I bring to the consultation?
You can come alone, but it is always recommended to bring someone to help you interpret the conversation and remember any questions you may have.
What should I bring to the consultation?
Please download and read our Appointment Tips [pdf] for a list of recommended items to bring to your consultation.
Can I call back with questions after my consultation if I think of something?
Absolutely! You can also contact us via the patient gateway.
Can I make the procedure appointment before I leave?
It is strongly recommended that you make an appointment before leaving our office so that your cancer can be treated as soon as possible.
How long is it between the consultation appointment and the procedure appointment?
Typically 1-2 weekss.
Can I discuss more than one procedure during a single consultation?
Generally only one site is addressed at a time..
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About Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Consultations
Why is a consultation important?
To ensure that we are certain about the site that needs treatment, so we can evaluate your current health status to ensure you have the best possible surgical outcome, and to help you thoroughly understand how the procedure is performed and after surgery care of the treated site.
Do I need a physician's referral for a consultation?
Generally, if you have a medical need for general plastic surgery you may have first seen your primary care doctor.
What will be discussed at the consultation?
Your specific procedure, details about your pre-procedure preparations and after care instructions. We will also address any questions or concerns you may have.
Who do you meet with?
You will meet with our plastic surgeon, Dr. Loreen Ali, who will be performing your procedure.
Will the consultation always be done at the office where the procedure will happen?
Typically. However, more complicated plastic surgery procedures may be performed in a hospital setting.
Are consultations completely separate from procedures or can everything be done in one appointment?
The consultation is generally a separate appointment conducted leading up to your procedure.
Do I always need a consultation before the procedure?
Generally yes, but if you are a repeat patient, this may be accomplished through a telephone call with our nurses.
Who should I bring to the consultation?
You can come alone, but it is always recommended to bring someone to help you interpret the conversation and remember any questions you may have.
What should I bring to the consultation?
Please download and read our Appointment Tips [pdf] for a list of recommended items to bring to your consultation.
Can I call back with questions after my consultation if I think of something?
Of course, you can also contact us via the patient gateway.
Can I make the procedure appointment before I leave?
Yes. Many minor plastic surgery repairs can be done in the office, more complicated cases will be scheduled in the hospital setting.
Can I go home and think about it before making the procedure appointment?
Of course.
How long is it between the consultation appointment and the procedure appointment?
If you schedule your procedure appointment the day of your consultation, the appointments are typically 1-2 weeks apart.
Can I discuss more than one procedure during a single consultation?
The doctor is available to discuss any and all of your concerns and needs.
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About Cosmetic Surgery Consultations
Why is a consultation important?
Your consultation will help determine exactly what procedure and outcome you desire and help you thoroughly understand how the procedure is performed and after surgery care of the treated site.
Do you need a referral for a consultation?
No.
What will be discussed at the consultation?
Your specific procedure, your desired outcome, details about your pre-procedure preparations, and after care instructions. We will also address any questions or concerns you may have.
Who do you meet with?
You will meet with our plastic surgeon, Dr. Loreen Ali, who will be performing your procedure.
Will the consultation always be done at the office where the procedure will happen?
Your consultation will take place in one of our conveniently located offices, however, your procedure will be conducted at one of our affiliated hospitals or outpatient surgery centers based on your procedure.
Are consultations completely separate from procedures or can everything be done in one appointment?
Consultation and procedure appointments are always two separate appointments..
Do I always need a consultation before the procedure?
Yes.
Who should I bring to the consultation?
You can come alone, but it is always recommended to bring someone to help you interpret the conversation and remember any questions you may have.
What should I bring to the consultation?
Please download and read our Appointment Tips [pdf] for a list of recommended items to bring to your consultation.
Can I call back with questions after my consultation if I think of something?
Of course, you can also contact us via the patient gateway.
Can I make the procedure appointment before I leave?
Generally we have to schedule all of these procedures with the hospital or outpatient surgery center and this may take a day or two to coordinate. We perform our surgeries on Tuesdays and Wednesdays depending on which institution is selected for your procedure. Dr. Ali performs surgery at: Lowell General Hospital, Saint's Medical Center, Nashoba Valley, Emerson Hospital, and Drum Hill..
Can you go home and think about it before making the procedure appointment?
Absolutely.
How long is it between the consultation appointment and the procedure appointment?
Generally within 2 weeks.
Can I discuss more than one procedure during a single consultation?
Yes.
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