Seattle Plastic Surgeon explains why she asks soooooo many questions.
I ask because I care.
This week I saw a patient who was interested in a rather extensive Mommy Makeover. She was a little bit put off by all of the questions I asked her about her medical and social history. I think she thought that I was just being nosy.
I explained to her that anyone who may be having an operation needs a very thorough history so anything that could cause a problem is identified and managed before the day of surgery. Just a few examples include high blood pressure, bleeding tendency, problems with acid reflux or sleep apnea.
The social history is also important. I will not do a Mommy Makeover on a woman unless she is able to arrange for help with the kids for the first week or two after surgery.
Sometimes I feel that patients don’t regard plastic surgery with the same seriousness they regard other types of surgery. Surgery is surgery. And I’m a doctor first, a surgeon second and a plastic surgeon third. And yes, I do ask a lot of questions!
Thanks for reading. Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder
@lisalynnsowder
