{"id":11459,"date":"2019-10-22T11:32:09","date_gmt":"2019-10-22T18:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=11459"},"modified":"2020-04-08T10:58:07","modified_gmt":"2020-04-08T17:58:07","slug":"reasons-plastic-surgeon-wont-operate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/reasons-plastic-surgeon-wont-operate","title":{"rendered":"5 Common Reasons Plastic Surgeons Will Refuse to Operate On You"},"content":{"rendered":"

This story is part of our <\/em>RealSelf Verified<\/em><\/a> campaign to offer consumers greater transparency into provider qualifications and help them find trusted, patient-friendly professionals.<\/em><\/p>

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons<\/a>, Americans spent more than $16.5 billion on cosmetic surgical procedures in 2018. Year over year, as the stigma surrounding plastic surgery decreases, the number of people seeking out elective procedures increases—and promises of more revenue can sometimes mean that there are certain ethics disreputable doctors may be willing to abandon. But talk to any highly regarded, board-certified plastic surgeon and they’ll tell you that saying no to patient requests is common practice; in fact, it’s absolutely necessary to ensure patient safety and satisfaction and protect doctors’ own reputations in the industry. <\/p>

Below, three RealSelf Verified surgeons share the most typical reasons they turn people away during a consultation. <\/p>

1) You haven’t been given proper medical clearance.<\/strong><\/h2>

On October 12, 2009, the Donda West Act<\/a> was signed into California law by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger after Kanye West’s mother died due to postoperative complications. Donda’s first choice of surgeon had declined to operate<\/a>, citing concerns over her health and a need for medical clearance, so she found a non-board-certified cosmetic surgeon (with a history of malpractice lawsuits and criminal convictions<\/a>) who went ahead and performed several cosmetic procedures—including liposuction<\/a>, a tummy tuck<\/a> and a breast reduction<\/a>—on her at once. Because of the national attention her death drew, legislators were quick to pass the Donda West Act, which states that a patient in California must be medically cleared by way of a physical exam and blood work before undergoing elective cosmetic surgery. <\/p>

Whether it’s a law in their state or not, board-certified plastic surgeons always require medical clearance prior to invasive procedures or anything involving general anesthesia. It should be as much of a red flag for you if they don’t ask for it as it is to them if you refuse.<\/p>

2) You are being pressured into getting cosmetic surgery.<\/strong><\/h2>

If a doctor feels as though you’re getting plastic surgery to satisfy someone else and pushing your own preferences aside, they likely will not operate. New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Tornambe<\/a> explains, “A lot of times, I will hear a woman say, ‘I need <\/em>a facelift<\/a>’—not I want<\/em>—’because my husband is cheating on me with a younger woman and I need <\/em>to look younger to keep him,’ or ‘I want a large breast augmentation<\/a> because my boyfriend is paying and he likes bigger breasts.’” This is a big red flag, he says. He also requires his patients to demonstrate that they know what is involved with the procedure they’re requesting. “With a breast augmentation, I tell every patient that they’re signing up for two operations—putting the implants in and then, in 10 to 15 years, either changing them out or removing them.” <\/p>

Surgery is permanent, and it shouldn’t happen unless the patient is fully aware of the risks and completely confident in their decision.  <\/p>

Related: 5 Signs You’re a Good Candidate for a Facelift—and 4 Signs You’re Not<\/a><\/em><\/p>

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