I saw the nurse POD1, figuring I’d see surgeon at the 1 week post op, now I’m told surgeon is still out of town. So I can either see nurse again to remove sutures POD7. Or wait until POD 11 and see surgeon and remove sutures. I don’t see any major concerns but I figured the surgeon would want to see progress and have specific recommendations related to compression bandage and bra depending on how dropping and healing. Am I off-base here?
May 29, 2019
Answer: Normal to see nurse and not surgeon post op? My surgical techniques will be different from that of another surgeon as will my postoperative regimen. My nurses can administer medications and assist patients with wound care, drain tubes, etc., but as a commitment to providing the most efficient and effective recovery for my patients, I see all my patients at each post-operative visit to answer questions, determine the progress of their recovery, check for any signs of excessive bleeding, bruising, swelling, or infection, and obtain valuable feedback. Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
May 29, 2019
Answer: Normal to see nurse and not surgeon post op? My surgical techniques will be different from that of another surgeon as will my postoperative regimen. My nurses can administer medications and assist patients with wound care, drain tubes, etc., but as a commitment to providing the most efficient and effective recovery for my patients, I see all my patients at each post-operative visit to answer questions, determine the progress of their recovery, check for any signs of excessive bleeding, bruising, swelling, or infection, and obtain valuable feedback. Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
May 25, 2019
Answer: Normal to see nurse rather than surgeon at postop visit? Hello, every clinic will have different protocols for their postoperative assessments. It is not uncommon for nurses to be involved in the care of patients, but in my experience most surgeons want to be directly involved for at least some of the postoperative assessments. My own practice is to see patients myself for several postoperative visits, but occasionally if a patient wants to be checked when I am not available, one of my experienced nurses will see the patient then provide me with a progress update.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
May 25, 2019
Answer: Normal to see nurse rather than surgeon at postop visit? Hello, every clinic will have different protocols for their postoperative assessments. It is not uncommon for nurses to be involved in the care of patients, but in my experience most surgeons want to be directly involved for at least some of the postoperative assessments. My own practice is to see patients myself for several postoperative visits, but occasionally if a patient wants to be checked when I am not available, one of my experienced nurses will see the patient then provide me with a progress update.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful