“Most surgeons do not accept patients from other surgeons, which makes it difficult for these patients to obtain optimal treatment. We are here for patients, and we are available if we can help.”
I understand the no. Liability, no operative report, somebody else’s judgment in the wound. I still think the no is wrong, because the patient is standing in El Paso and the surgeon is in Miami.
“These are patients that have had their procedures done elsewhere. Most commonly they have traveled outside of El Paso. They are locals; they come from and live in the El Paso area or the Southwest. They’ve had their surgeries done throughout the United States, but most commonly in the Florida, Miami area, or in Mexico. After their surgery, they still need aftercare. Whether it is routine or not, they find themselves in a bind because they cannot easily travel back to see their surgeons.”
The Line I Will Not Cross
“In the early stages, we really cannot revise any of the surgery itself.”
Drains, sutures, seromas, scars, massage, LED, fluids. Yes. Reopening someone else’s work in week two. No.
The Phone Call
“Communication with the other surgeon is ideal, but it is not always possible, or desired by the patients themselves. Oftentimes the patient has been in communication with the other surgeon’s office, and they have recommended certain treatments, whether it’s a drain placement or a splint removal after rhinoplasty, suture removals, or even a drain removal.”
The ER Is Not Me
“In terms of when to go to the ER, this is very clear, and the patient should already have these instructions from their original surgeon. This includes any changes in vital signs, such as low blood pressure, tachycardia, which is a high pulse rate, fever, lightheadedness, or fainting; redness, purulent discharge, changes in the color of the drain output, specifically if it becomes white, yellowish, or creamy; a fluid collection that keeps growing, shortness of breath or chest pain, swelling in the legs or tenderness in the calves, a breast that suddenly gets larger and painful, or uncontrolled bleeding.”
The Revision Question
“Some patients do come in unhappy with their results and are looking for a revision surgery. This is not possible in the early stages, and patients are usually told to wait until healing has been achieved, which can vary depending on the procedure from three months to a year. For their own particular reasons, many surgeons do not perform revision surgeries on other doctors’ patients. At Southwest Plastic Surgery, I believe that we are here to help patients, and we do perform revision surgeries on other surgeons’ patients, as long as we believe that the results can be improved and that the patient’s expectations are appropriate.”
The full list of what my office does, what it needs from you, and how it is billed is on agulloplasticsurgery.com. The med spa side of recovery is on the Southwest Plastic Surgery post. And if you have not operated yet, read flying in for surgery first.
Why Choose Dr. Agullo
Double board-certified, by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. Mayo Clinic plastic surgery fellowship. Clinical Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 13 consecutive years.
Ready to Talk?
Your surgeon is a flight away. I am not. (915) 590-7900, text 1-866-814-0038, or book at agulloplasticsurgery.com/appointments. #StayBeautiful
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