
Posted: February 15, 2013
Filling out the forms at a doctor’s office may not seem glamorous or even important unless you have a serious illness, but when it comes to surgery, it could make all the difference. Plastic surgery is no different than any other surgery – it involves anesthesia, surgical tools and comes with its own set of risks. Educating patients on the dangers might make the difference between a life-threatening complication and a successful surgical outcome.
Here are some common topics to address:
1) Medication and supplements – while most patients will be quick to let you know they’re taking prescription medication (we hope) for a serious condition, others might not disclose over-the-counter medication and herbal supplements. They might not realize that it could affect blood pressure, hematoma and healing.
- Supplements: Herbal and Dietary
http://www.surgery.org/media/news-releases/supplements—-herbal-and-dietary - When “Natural” Remedies Mean Danger for Cosmetic Surgery
http://www.surgery.org/media/news-releases/when-natural-remedies-mean-danger-for-cosmetic-surgery - Disclose herbal and dietary supplements to your doctor before surgery
http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/disclose-herbal-dietary-supplements-doctor-surgery-1036456
2) Smoking and drinking – we have made great strides in the fight against smoking and alcohol abuse. Most people know they shouldn’t smoke or drink before surgery and right after. However, they might know the severity of the actions, they might think twice.
- When undergoing plastic surgery, tell your surgeon about your smoking habit: a horrifying tale of how smoking affected one patient
http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/undergoing-plastic-surgery-surgeon-smoking-habit-1035871 - Twins’ Breasts are revealing: Smoking and drinking not only causes complications – they also age the body http://www.surgery.org/media/news-releases/twins-breasts-are-revealing
- 5 Reasons alcohol and surgery don’t mix
http://www.realself.com/blog/reasons-alcohol-plastic-surgery-don-t-mix
3) Psychological concerns – wanting to have plastic surgery to improve your image and to feel better about something that always made you feel self-conscious is normal. Having plastic surgery to please others or to get out of depression is not. Talk to patients about deeper issues and get them the help they might not realize they need.
- Does body image improve after dramatic weight loss?
http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/body-image-improve-dramatic-weight-loss-1045801 - Seven Keys to help ensure patient satisfaction
http://www.surgery.org/media/news-releases/seven-keys-to-help-ensure-patient-satisfaction - Plastic surgery’s link to psychology
http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/plastic-surgerys-link-psychology-1036608
Additional Information:
Cosmetic surgery safety: Lifestyle factors play an important role
http://www.surgery.org/media/news-releases/cosmetic-surgery-safety–lifestyle-factors-play-an-important-role
Office-based surgical setting patient safety
http://www.surgery.org/professionals/patient-safety/office-based-surgical-setting-patient-safety-issues-scenarios
Back to blog page
ShareFEB
2013