Had Face/Neck Lift and Breast Implants in Mexico. The surgeon told me the stitches can be removed. Problem - no one will remove.

Question

I had a face/necklift and best implants fine in Mexico. My surgeon said the stitches can be removed, but no one will remove them. My primary physician, urgent care and even the ER told me they won't touch it. I even tried calling a couple plastic surgeons in Dallas, TX and was told no. Any suggestions? They need to choke out its been 13 days and the area around a couple stitches is turning red and becoming sore to touch. Hopefully its not a sign of infection.

Robert J. Spies, MD · Answer

If you decided to have cosmetic surgery in Mexico or any other country, then you should have made the decision to have all follow-up visits with that same doctor.  Many US doctors do not want to treat a patient who had surgery in another country concerned that there may be issues that are difficult to treat.  There are some concerns about the type of doctor and quality of work that is being done abroad.  You picked that doctor in Mexico so you should also choose him or her to do all of the follow-up work.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

One of the problems of having surgery remotely is that you are the responsibility of your surgeon And not your medical community. I'm sure A plastic surgeon will remove the sutures but expect to pay a fee.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

This is a recurring problem and one that should have been planned out prior to agreeing to have the surgery out of the country.  If a patient, in your situation, calls my office typically I will see them and remove the sutures.  I generally will not offer any specific medical or post operative advise since that is up to the original surgeon.

Melinda Haws, MD, FACS · Answer

I periodically will operate on someone from out of town or out of state or out of the country.   Preoperatively, the plan for their follow up is laid out in detail so there are no surprises after surgery like you describe.   I won't let someone fly for two weeks after any significant surgery because of the risk of blood clots that go to the lungs, so if they have come from a long distance, they remain in town.   If they come from a easy drive away then we arrange their follow up with me or with a doctor in their area, but again all of this is arranged before surgery. There have been occasions that I have been called by another plastic surgeon asking me to see their patient In follow up. I am always happy to oblige, because this is the correct etiquette. It should not be up to you to a arrange your follow up. Your surgeon in Mexico should either see you himself or call a Dallas plastic surgeon and fill them in on your case so that local surgeon can then treat you appropriately.  Do I see patients that come to me out of the blue with no prearrangement from their surgeon, sure, because ethically I feel it is the right thing for me to do. Contrary to other reviews not all physicians take the Hippocratic oath anymore because some of the language conflicts with modern medicine. However, most of us got into medicine to help people and you need help. i recommend you call your surgeon from Mexico and see if they can make an arrangement for you. If not then you will have to go through the phone listings in your area and throw yourselves at their mercy. Ask them what it will cost you to have sutures removed from previous surgery. And o anyone else reading this review, get your postoperative care plan in place before surgery, no matter where you have your surgery.

Robert M. Freund, MD · Answer

If you endeavor to have any surgery outside your local area, you should also plan to stay nearby or to be available for routine follow-ups. Anything that may be a problem can be corrected early on as opposed to delayed treatment.

Had Face/Neck Lift and Breast Implants in Mexico. The surgeon told me the stitches can be removed. Problem - no one will remove.

Answers (5)