Plastic Surgery: Medical Tests Might be Necessary First

Plastic Surgeon, Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Risks Comments (0)

A woman scheduled for breast augmentation questioned why she had to get two blood tests before surgery.

For plastic surgery to result in an improved appearance, the patient must first be in good overall health before the plastic surgeon can proceed.

A blood test – at a minimum — is usually necessary so the surgeon knows for sure you don’t go into surgery with an infection and that your clotting mechanism is normal. Otherwise, you may experience excessive bleeding.

Also, many people ask for cosmetic plastic surgery but have pre-existing medical conditions like:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Asthma

When the surgeon takes your medical history, he or she will ask for separate medical tests to make sure those conditions are well controlled and won’t adversely affect your health. It’s all designed to protect you.

So in the case of high blood pressure, you may be asked to take an electrocardiogram. For diabetes, the surgeon wants a test showing your blood sugar is controlled.

For instance, Donda West (Kanye West’s mom) had a pre-existing condition – possibly undisclosed to her surgeon — that caused problems during her recovery from cosmetic plastic surgery and probably contributed to her untimely passing.

To check for bad reactions to anesthesia, the surgeon and anesthesiologist also need to know what other substances you take like:

• Herbs,
• Vitamins
• Minerals

Doctors ask that you list everything you take, even aspirin, vitamin E and garlic supplements, all of which promote excess bleeding.

While the patient alone pays for virtually all plastic surgery (see our post on cosmetic plastic surgery covered by health insurance,) your policy may pay for the physicals.

Patients often ask why can’t the testing be done in the office of the plastic surgeon. It’s because medicine is a field of many, many specialties and your surgeon wants the results of a specialist who does that testing often.

Remember, your plastic surgeon is first and foremost a physician who has taken an oath to do the best to protect your health.

So, if something like a pimple crops up on your face or nose the day of your rhinoplasty or face lift, the surgeon would have to reschedule the surgery – rather than risk a wider infection.

admin @ February 9, 2009