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Is It Odd That my Plastic Surgeon Doesn't Require Lab Work? (photo)

I'm 23, so it said lab work/ blood tests weren't necessary. He is board certified and is supposed to be very good, but I found it weird that he didn't need anything. He also only had me lift my shirt up to my ribs and lower my pants a bit and touched my skin twice to show what he would take off. (Not much of a physical exam) I also could swear I need lipo but he says I don't, so I'm worried it won't look as good as it can. He also didn't discuss risks. Is this normal? Am I just over-analyzing?

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by crl89 in Canada

Doctor Answers (16)
Community Comments (1)

Pregnancy test maybe all tha you need

Usually for the healthy 23 year old patient the special blood work is not required for the surgery. However, every facility has its own requirements. Typically every patient 50 years old and older needs EKG, CBC, SMA-7 and also the surgical clearance from the primary physician to undergo surgery under general anesthesia. Patients in this age group are considered higher risk; therefore for the safety all the precautions should take place. If the patient is under 50 years old... more

Preoperative labs are often a waste of money.

I get preoperative labs on patients who are expected have a significant blood loss (a full body lift with liposuction patient for example) have a history of anemia or excessive bleeding are on medications that can cause electrolyte imbalances such as some blood pressure medications For vigorously healthy patients undergoing elective surgery, most lab work is not necessary but a good history and physical exam is necessary for every patient as well as a... more

No pretesting before tummy tuck

In NY, this would be a deviation from the standard of care. I would not operate without pretesting and my anesthesiologists certainly would not be willing to participate in the case. Evaluation is not a substitute for clinical findings from a laboratory. Not a year goes by where a significant anomaly is not picked up on routine pretesting. You are not over-analyzing but are showing good judgment here.

No Lab Work for Tummy Tuck in Healthy 23 year old

There is no evidence based medicine to support performing laboratory work prior to tummy tuck surgery in a young, heathy individual.

No Lab Work and no Physical Exam

We routinely get lab work on preoperative patients if their health condition indicates the need for the studies. Most healthy cosmetic surgery patients do not need lab work. But I cannot imagine taking a patient to the OR for a TT without a good physical exam and especially an evalujation of the abdominal skin, fat layer, and deep muscles looking for diastasis followed by a 30-45 minute discussion of options and risks.

Lab Work before Tummy Tuck

Routine laboratory tests may not be needed before a tummy tuck. If you are young and healthy, and your plastic surgeon evaluated you, then omitting tests may be acceptable.

Consultation styles will be very different from one surgeon to the next.

It is clear that you still have several questions and do not feel completely comfortable with your consultation. With elective surgery it is important to feel like you will be well cared for throughout the surgical experience. Some patients find it helpful to have more than one consultation before making a decision about the procedure details and which surgical team they choose for their elective procedures. The opportunity to ask more questions and be reassured is before surgery. The... more

Abdominal exam to check for diastasis, hernia is vital to good abdominal surgery results

A thorough abdominal exam to check for diastasis recti or any possible herniasare vital to good abdominal surgery results and avoiding complications. A thorough discussion of risks, alternatives is also standard.

Lab work prior to major surgery, is it necessary?

Thank you for your question and photo. First the lab work. I do not get lab work for a healthy 23 year old patient either. With the tumescent technique for a tummy tuck and liposuction, there's no significant blood loss. The examination you describe sounds a little superfluous. Besides skin removal your abdominal muscles need to be tightened as well. Even from this limited view, I believe you would need liposuction of your bra rolls, arms, hips and waist with the tummy tuck. Otherwise, your... more

I am 23 years old and having surgery for which my PS didn't perform any blood tests. Is this normal?

Although there are many surgeons who do not performb lood tests on young, healthy patients, we do so in our office especially for more extensive procedures like a Tummy tuck. Yopu should also have a proper physical exam.Your PS should review with you the procedure(s) including possible compications. You should have a good understanding of your procedure before proceeding. Ultimately, though, you need to be comfortable with your PS. If you have any doubts you should seeka second consultation.... more

You do not need blood work

There are indications for the blood work that are based on the patient's age,medical history and the planned procedure. I would recommend liposuction and tummy tuck to achieve the best results.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Preop lab tests

If you are 23 years old and in good general health, no pre op labs are really needed. Personally, I get a basic blood count in all patients. Surgeons used to get a whole battery of lab tests prior to surgery, but for the most part found out they were a waste of money in a young healthy individual. I used to think a pregnancy test pre op, but patients can have unprotected sex a day or two before surgery and a pregnancy test would not pick it up ( especially if the test is... more

?lab work?

For patients under 40 with no known health issues, usually no lab work is required with the exception of a pregnancy test. The idea of pre-op lab tests is to turn up unsuspected problems that might interfere with anesthesia or surgery, but this is so uncommon in young healthy patients that most hospitals/surgicenters/offices no longer have lab test requirements. More troublesome is your sense that you weren't properly examined and your questions not answered. Presumably you will have... more

Workup for tummy tuck

Hello, Thank you for the question and photos. Lab work before surgery has some variability among surgeons and surgery centers. For a tummy tuck I think it is better to get a pregnancy test (urine) and a blood workup to show how your blood levels are doing (H and H). These are not necessarily required and a good history will let the surgeon know how important these lab test are or are not for each patient. I do think liposuction will be an important part of your... more

Lab Work Needed for Tummy Tuck?

Hi, In the USA, the requirement for lab work before surgery will vary based on state regulations and outpatient/hospital guidelines related to the specific procedure and health of the patient. Your surgeon should be expected to discuss the procedure and risks with you. Since you are feeling uncomfortable in this doctor/patient relationship, you should seek several other opinions before deciding on surgery. Thanks for your question and good luck!

Lab work for Tummy Tuck

For a healthy 23 year old, only blood count and pregnancy test is necessary prior to an anesthesia. Perhaps he will discuss the risks at your preoperative appointment. Liposuction could help reduce the size of the flank (love handle) area. Good Luck!

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Comments (1)

crl89 9 Jan 2013

How do I add another picture of the front? I do have one. Also, I can't be pregnant. (IUD) Apparently my physical will be done by my GP. I'm still worried about the lipo though. He says it's all skin and only the front has fat but I'm not so sure. I don't know. I just don't want to have a revision.

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