I don't have a primary doctor so how would I get lab work done for surgery?

Question

I'm 50 yrs old and I want to have a tummy tuck and a bbl. I'm in very good health I don't have so sickness no high blood pressure no diabetes. I take no medication I'm 5'4, 220lbs, breast 40B, waist 38. It is possible to do this surgery with my age?

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hello and thanks. Your plastic surgeon's office should be able to give you orders for the lab and other instructions. You don't need a primary unless additional tests like EKG, etc.. are needed. Best wishes,. Dr. ALDO

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry. At age 50 and the surgeries you desire, you should have lab work and an EKG.  Your plastic surgeon can perform or order them or he/she may recommend a primary care doctor.  Also you could go to a walk-in urgent care center.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you very much for sharing your concerns with us, and excuse the delay in replying, but I was in OR.After having analyzed all the information provided to us, i realize that youare in a good age to make the procedure, you are healthy and don't have any chronic disease.On the other hand to perform multiple procedures at the same time, as you desire (Tummy Tuck + Lipo w/BBL), I recommend to lose some weight (30 pounds) which allows us to make a safer procedure.With your current weight you can only perform a tummy tuck + waist lipo.It is essential to make pre-op lab work and cardiovascular evaluation, they should be in optimal ranges, that allows us to make a safe procedure.It's very important to make a pre-op preparation before the surgery, advising the patient to take certain measures that helps to have a successful surgery with very good results.In this sense, I recommend be treated by a skilled and certified plastic surgeon, with special training in Plastic Surgery After Weight Loss, and experienced in cases like yours where the planned operating time have to be less than 3 hours, Therefore, it will use different surgical techniques and special safety measures for better results. Finally, i recommend you post your photos to give more important information of your interest.Kind regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Jeffrey A. Sweat, MD · Answer

You absolutely can have a tummy tuck at age 50, especially given that you are in good health.  However, if you don't have a primary care doctor, I would recommend getting one before having the tummy tuck just so you can have a general health exam, which you should be getting at least yearly anyway.  Regarding the lab work, if necessary, that can be ordered by your plastic surgeon if you don't have a primary care doctor.  Best of luck!

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Your Plastic Surgeon will indicate those Labs for you prior surgery.In my practice Lab Work, Physical Evaluation by an Internal Medicine Specialist, Torax X Rays  and EKG are done as part of the evaluations to consider the patient candidate for surgery.Age is not a contraindication for the surgery you desire, your general health and hemoglobin levels are the ones that  determine that.

Joseph Franklin, MD · Answer

Surgery at your age is very common.   Preoperative labs may be required by anesthesia before your procedure.   These tests can be performed in a number of various locations.   They do not require insurance nor referral from a primary care physician.  The requested tests are simply submitted by the ordering physician.  Best of luck on your future procedure.

Grady B. Core, MD · Answer

If you were in our practice we would refer you to a medical doctor for a check up since safety is our highest priority. Whether or not you get plastic surgry I would recommend you see a doctor who is board certified in Internal Medicine or Family Practice before you do anything. I wish you all the best.

Kiran Polavarapu, MD · Answer

Age 50 is a great age to improve your looks. However, although you have no medical problems and are in good health, most plastic surgeons would recommend having a healthy BMI around 30 or less to decrease complications, especially in combined procedures. At 5 ft 4, and 220, a BMI of 37.8 is calculated. It would be important to strive for a healthy BMI to decrease complications in and after the operation. Consult a board certified plastic surgeon.Your plastic surgeon can set you up with a primary care doctor or can order labs for you if necessary.

Hector Milla, MD · Answer

Hi, thanks for your question and congratulations for very good health. As it has been said lab work and general evaluation has to be done before any big procedure, I usually send my patients to a cardiologist, they see the lab result, take an EKG and do  lot of questions. It has happened that something is wrong and the patient didn´t know about it. The most important is to avoid any risk.Regards.Dr. Milla.

John J. Edney, MD · Answer

50 years old is a very common age for a tummy tuck and BBL.  It sounds as though your overall health is very good.  It will be very important for you to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who is well trained and experienced in all forms of abdominal contouring.  It would also be a good idea to see a primary care doctor to fully evaluate you before major surgery.  Your primary care doctor or your plastic surgeon can order the preoperative laboratory tests.  Good luck!For a simple and illustrated explanation of tummy tuck and body contouring
procedures, watch my video.

I don't have a primary doctor so how would I get lab work done for surgery?

Answers (10)