Surgeon didn't mark me up before surgery - why?

Question

So I had my op on 23rd December and my surgeon didn't mark me up, I.e. do any markings by pen prior to my surgery. I wonder what the reason for this would be? Did he just freestyle it?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Not seeing pen markings before surgery does not necessarily mean the operation was done without a plan. Many breast augmentation surgeons mark the patient while standing before anesthesia, but some use preoperative measurements, photos, anatomic landmarks, intraoperative checks, or markings that are less obvious to the patient.

The best next step is to ask your surgeon directly how your operative plan was made and documented. If your result is healing well, the absence of visible pre-op markings alone does not prove anything was done incorrectly, but your surgeon should be able to explain the planning process and address any concerns at your follow-up visit.

Sergei Kalsow, MD · Answer

For a breast lift, surgeons need a lot of markings.  For implants, the only marking you really need is where you will make the incision, underneath the breast.   That marking can be done in the operating room, while you are lying down he would push the breast downwards, so it reforms the crease, and puts a marking in there.  I mark the breasts before hand, but if someone has been doing it for 30 years, and all they do is breast implants, maybe they are comfortable doing markings later.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hi & thanks for your question.
Every surgeon has his or her own way of doing things. Reach out to your surgeon with this question. Best wishes!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear angeleyes_xo,
every surgeon has a preferred protocol and technique. Some mark patients preoperatively, while others do it in the OR. You should follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

I prefer to perform the markings while the patient is standing in front of my in the preoperative area prior to the patient going back to the operating room. I do know and have seen some surgeons perform their markings while the patient is lying down, asleep, in the operating room.

Every surgeon has their own preference to how they like things done. This would be something you may want to ask from your surgeon.

Hope that helps.

Every surgeon has their own preference to how they like things done.  This would be something you may want to ask from your surgeon.

Hope that helps.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You can ask your surgeon to be sure, but he probably marked you once you were asleep on the table.  Personally, I mark both awake and asleep.

Joshua B. Hyman, MD · Answer

Breast Implant surgery can be very straightforward. I need very few markings but I do typically mark the IMF and the location of my scars. Some surgeons go crazy marking in different colors and all sorts of other markings. The number of markings is probably inversely proportional to the experience of the surgeon, but zero markings is rare indeed. Your surgeon will probably state that he marked you while you were asleep but typically, we like to mark in the standing position. Hopefully, you will like your results and not need to second guess your choice in surgeon.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Each surgeon has her/his own technique and approach to surgery.  It may be that your surgeon marked you after you were already in the operating room.  I encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you have with your surgeon.

Surgeon didn't mark me up before surgery - why?

Answers (8)

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