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Should It Be a Red Flag if my Selected Plastic Surgeon Can't Provide Me with a Reference?

asked 1 year ago by 3coolcats in Tampa, FL
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 382 times
Tags: abdomen, plastic surgeon, qualifications, references

Hello, I plan to have a tummy tuck soon and have met with 3 board certified PSs. The PS I selected was recommended to me by my OBGYN and he is very experienced and I'm very comfortable with him. He told me has performed more than 1500 TTs and has many satisfied patients, so I asked if I could speak with one of them about their results. I requested this information more than a month ago and still have not heard from a former patient (and the doctor is aware of this). Should this be a red flag?

7 answers to Should It Be a Red Flag if my Selected Plastic Surgeon Can't Provide Me with a Reference?

+2

Should It Be a Red Flag if my Selected Plastic Surgeon Can't Provide Me with a Reference?

Regarding:  "Should It Be a Red Flag if my Selected Plastic Surgeon Can't Provide Me with a Reference? Hello, I plan to have a tummy tuck soon and have met with 3 board certified PSs. The PS I selected was recommended to me by my OBGYN and he is very experienced and I'm very comfortable with him. He told me has performed more than 1500 TTs and has many satisfied patients, so I asked if I could speak with one of them about their results. I requested this information... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Providing references prior to surgery.

This is not as much of a red flag as it is a sign that there may be difficult for the surgeon's office to accomodate your request. He/she may have performed that many cases and it should be somewhat easy to identify a willing patient. Occasionally, it can be difficult to coerce former patients who have compensated us well for our services to then pick up the phone and contact you. It can be an inconvenience for these patients who do not necessarily feel obligated. Why should they do... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Patient references

Your surgeon should be able to provide a patient reference to you to go over their experience.  Call back the office.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Patient Recommendation Should Be Easy To Get

If your surgeon has performed that many abdominoplasties, then it should be very easy to get a patient reference or two.  He may be extremely qualified and done thousands, but it is always nice to talk to previous patients about their own results, experience, etc.  And while this is not critical in pickinga surgeon, the fact that his office can not provide you with at least one patient would make me pause a little.
Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD

Barrington Plastic Surgeon
+1

Red flag or not?

While this is a little surprising, if the doctor has the endorsement of the gyn and has a lot of experience and you felt comfortable with them, I would not let this be a problem.  If it were a rookie surgeon, I would be more suspicious.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choosing a surgeon

It may or may not be a red flag. Some patients want to maintain privacy about their surgery especially in smaller towns. Most of my tummy tuck patients do not speak with prior patients. They seem to be satisfied with me going over the details of the procedure, my drawing the skin excision pattern on them while they view this in the mirror and their viewing before and after photos with me of different types of abdomens. Did the surgeon at least show you before and after photos of his/her... more
Aaron Stone, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Comfortable with your surgeon?

I don't think this should be a huge red flag for you. After all, you've met with the surgeon, checked his credentials (I hope he's certified by the American Board of PLASTIC Surgery), and you're comfortable with him and his staff.  I'll bet you've already reviewed his before-and-after photos as well.  Talking to a prior patient is sometimes helpful, but no two surgical recoveries is exactly the same.  So I don't think it's critical... more
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

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