Traveling to Tulsa for Surgery: A Plan for New York Patients

Why New York patients travel about 1,228 miles for surgery

Choosing a cosmetic surgeon is a deeply personal decision. Some patients find the right fit close to home. Others decide that a specific surgeon's focus, training, or volume of experience warrants traveling. We see patients from communities across Oklahoma, from regional cities such as Dallas and Kansas City, and from national markets including New York.

The common thread is straightforward: each patient decided that the surgeon and the facility mattered more than proximity. New York, NY sits about 1,228 miles from our practice — a flight or a long drive. That distance is real. Patients who make the trip do so because they have researched the surgeon, reviewed the work, and concluded the match is worth the journey.

Dr. Angelo Cuzalina founded Tulsa Surgical Arts with a focus on rhinoplasty, deep plane facelift, complex revision surgery, and total-body contouring. The practice operates from an AAAHC-accredited surgery center — the same accreditation standard used by many ambulatory surgical facilities nationwide.

The consultation: where every plan begins

Every surgical plan starts with a consultation. During this visit you meet your surgeon, discuss your goals, review your anatomy, and receive a candid assessment of what surgery can and cannot accomplish. For out-of-town patients, the consult team can help coordinate timing so you make the most of your trip to Tulsa.

A consultation is not a commitment. It is a conversation. You will leave with a clear understanding of the proposed procedure, the expected recovery timeline, and the logistics of planning surgery from out of state. That information lets you make a decision on your own schedule, back home, with no pressure.

To start the conversation, call 918-392-7900, text us, or book online. The team is accustomed to working with patients who are coordinating across time zones and flight schedules.

The facility and your recovery stay

Tulsa Surgical Arts is located at 7322 E 91st St, Tulsa, OK 74133. The surgery center is AAAHC-accredited. Free on-site parking is available, and your driver can pull directly to the entrance for surgery-day drop-off and pick-up.

After anesthesia you may not drive yourself, take a rideshare alone, or leave unaccompanied. A responsible adult drives you from the facility and stays with you for the first 24 hours. For patients traveling in from New York, our private overnight guest suite exists for exactly this situation — ask the consult team when you schedule.

Hours are Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Your surgery-day arrival time is set for your specific case, not a general clinic opening.

What to know before surgery day

Bring photo ID, your paperwork, a written list of every medication and supplement you take, glasses and a case — no contact lenses. Wear loose, front-opening clothing and slip-on shoes. No makeup, lotion, deodorant, or fragrance on surgery day. Leave jewelry, piercings, and valuables at your hotel or at home.

Your driver checks in with you, stays reachable by phone for the entire day, and receives your discharge instructions in person. You wake in recovery under one-to-one observation, then discharge to your driver or upstairs to the guest suite when that is the plan.

When any instruction from our published resources differs from what your surgical team tells you directly, their instructions win. That principle applies before, during, and after your procedure.

The practice behind the plan

Tulsa Surgical Arts is home to a team of six cosmetic surgeons. Dr. Cuzalina is a past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and a past president of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. He has performed over 18,000 procedures. The practice also houses a nationally recognized cosmetic surgery fellowship dedicated to training the next generation of surgeons.

That teaching culture means every technique is examined, refined, and held to evidence. It shapes the care every patient receives, whether they drive five miles or fly from New York. Results vary from patient to patient, and a consultation is the only way to understand what is realistic for your anatomy and goals. We encourage you to consult a qualified surgeon before making any surgical decision.

Individual results vary. This article is general education, not medical advice.