The first consultation is extremely important, as it is the opportunity for the patient to align their expectations and needs with the plastic surgeon. It is only through a consultation that the surgeon can assess the need for surgical intervention and whether the procedure will offer the result the patient desires.
Although the patient can often be sure that the chosen intervention is correct for their case, only the plastic surgeon can determine what will be appropriate to obtain the expected result and for the patient to be satisfied with the results achieved.
Even during the first consultation, the surgeon must explain the details of the procedure — including possible complications, the possibility of scars, care before and after surgery and recovery time.
It is important that the patient undergoes a complete medical investigation, with pre-operative examinations, to minimize risks and avoid complications during plastic surgery.
Part of the patient's medical investigation includes:
- Evaluate personal history, including habits, pre-existing illnesses, consumption of regularly used medications, among others;
- Psychological analysis;
- Perform clinical and cardiac evaluation, as well as radiological examinations;
- Analyze — if the patient has undergone — previous surgeries and the occurrence or not of any complications;
- Perform a blood count, an exam that allows you to check the presence of anemia, infections, platelet dysfunction and other abnormal conditions;
- Identify the existence of any allergies or any type of reaction to anesthesia.
Furthermore, the patient must strictly follow the recommendations provided by the plastic surgeon before undergoing surgery, which may include:
- If the patient is a smoker, stop smoking for at least 4 weeks before the procedure;
- Suspend the use of certain medications, such as contraceptives and other substances that may increase the risk of bleeding;
- Do not apply any type of moisturizer, body oils or makeup in the 24 hours before the procedure;
- Suspend drinking alcoholic beverages;
- Adopt a balanced diet — also continuing post-operatively;
- On the day of the procedure, fast as instructed by the surgeon.
The surgeon will also provide information about post-operative care following plastic surgery, so that the patient knows in advance what they should do after the procedure and what recovery time is required after the intervention. It is important that the patient is aware of all precautions — both before and after surgery — so that they can achieve good results, without any complications or dissatisfaction.
Therefore, the patient must choose to undergo the procedure at a time that can deviate from their daily habits, as post-surgical care includes the suspension of various activities — such as physical exercise — as well as absolute rest, which should be respected.
The patient must follow all medical recommendations, such as:
- Use medications prescribed by the surgeon in the correct dosage and at the indicated times;
- If the patient is a smoker, continue smoking cessation for at least 30 days after surgery. Smoking in the postoperative period makes healing difficult and increases the risk of thrombosis and pulmonary embolism;
- Perform dressings and cleaning with water and soap foam in the area undergoing plastic surgery;
- Do not perform exercises that require strength, as scars take up to 45 days to stabilize;
- Reduce salt intake, which is also responsible for fluid retention and the appearance of edema;
- Carry out lymphatic drainage sessions, as massage contributes to the elimination of fluids and prevents the appearance of fibrosis, also helping with recovery and can accelerate results. Lymphatic drainage is generally indicated in the postoperative period of major surgeries such as abdominoplasty and liposuction, for example;
- Avoid exposure to the sun, keeping your skin always protected with sunscreen;
- Keep your skin always hydrated;
- Continue a balanced diet.
Each plastic surgery has a specific post-operative recommendation, and it is the surgeon's duty to correctly instruct the patient on how to act during this period.
Post-operatively, the patient should also consult regularly with their doctor. Visits are essential as it is during them that the professional will analyze the progress of the procedure and the scars, as well as remove the stitches if necessary.
As time passes, visits become more spaced out — which varies according to the procedure performed and the results. However, the patient should not fail to contact their doctor, especially if they experience any discomfort.
Every surgery leaves some scars — depending on the technique used, they may or may not be more hidden. Therefore, it is essential that the patient is aware of the scars resulting from the procedure and the location where they will be, so as not to be unhappy with the result.
For example, in plastic surgery performed on the face, the professional can hide the scar in the hair area or in a shadowed area, making it almost imperceptible to the eye.
Even though many surgeons already check the possibility and intend to hide the scar, it is recommended that the patient talk about this detail so that the scars are as little evident as possible.
Plastic surgery has the power to raise a person's self-esteem. For all stages of this procedure to occur in the best possible way, it is necessary for the patient to begin care from the first consultation with the plastic surgeon.
