What To Discuss With Your Plastic Surgeon

You've probably heard of the plastic surgeon from hell, where patients come out looking worse than they did before.

However, a plastic surgeon these days likely have their best intentions. After all, they also have a reputation to keep. On the other hand, you can't expect to have the best results without properly relaying information to your surgeon. There are so many patients out there, each wanting different things. Here are some important topics to discuss.

Medications

No matter if you think some medications are unrelated to surgery, you have to let your surgeon know. This is especially true if you're taking prescription or even over-the-counter and recreational drugs. Some diet pills may result in cardiac or pulmonary issues that can severely interfere with your surgery. A lot of everyday medicines can lead to bleeding, which can compromise your surgical outcome at best, or risk your life at worst. Even vitamins can have a negative effect and can cause the healing process to slow down. Recreational drugs can lead to reactions that could negatively influence your circulatory system and heart.

Oral contraceptives should be discussed with your plastic surgeon as well. Research has suggested that certain oral contraceptives lead to health issues including gallbladder disease, deep vein thrombosis, heart attacks and strokes. Experts agree that it's essential to disclose whether you are taking birth control pills and what kind. Those undergoing liposuction or abdominoplasty are particularly at risk as these surgeries can make patients more sedentary compared to other types of surgery. Leg pain and shortness of breath are considered urgent symptoms, as they can be an indication of a blood clot.

Previous Surgeries

Previous surgeries may be affected by the surgery you're about to undergo, or vice-versa. You'd want to tell your surgeon what you underwent before and how long ago it was done.

Reasons For Wanting Surgery

It's always ideal for your plastic surgeon to know why you want surgery done. It will help develop a sense of understanding and trust between both of you. Your surgeon will become more sensitive to your requirements and also more confident when performing the surgery.

The Steps Involved

You'd want to be absolutely ready for the surgical procedure you want. Thus, discuss what will happen before, during and after surgery. There can actually be many kinds of techniques used for one type of surgery, whether it's nose surgery or eyelid surgery. You'd want to know your options so you can gauge what you're willing to work with. Just make sure you obtain an answer that you're satisfied with. If not, ask about other alternatives.

Background And Experience

A good outcome is achieved by a good plastic surgeon. Find out if he/she is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Certification by this establishment shows that a surgeon has finished thorough, specialized training that not only indicates his/her commendable experience and knowledge, but also indicates his/her dedication to excellence in the field. Find out how many times your surgeon has performed the specific procedure you want and request for before-and-after photos of previous patients.