Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD - The Aesthetic Institute
Contact Us : (714) 312-3549

Orange County | Fullerton, CA

« Back to Blog

Things You Should Never Lie to Your Plastic Surgeon About

5 Minute Read: 

Photo of a person during a doctor's consult as a featured image for a post about things you should never lie to your plastic surgeon about

There is no winning situation in lying to your doctor. After all, how do you expect them to provide you with the finest care if they don’t have all the information? Moreover, there’s really no reason to keep anything. You can fully trust your doctor to keep your secrets thanks to a legal precedent known as doctor-patient confidentiality. Even though a lot of people feel that the same doesn’t apply when it comes to cosmetic procedures, the reality is different. The list of things you should never lie to your plastic surgeon about is pretty much the same as it is for any other doctor. So whether you’re getting ready for a tummy tuck or you’re considering getting a facelift, here’s what you should never keep from your plastic surgeon.

Four things you must never lie to your plastic surgeon about

When you schedule a consultation with your plastic surgeon, you must be completely honest about your medical history. The reason for this is that dishonesty can lead to severe consequences. For your cosmetic surgeon to do their best job and give you features you’ve always wanted, they must be aware of your body’s limitations.

Woman sitting on a couch in a hospital waiting room and talking to a surgeon in scrubs

Even though your plastic surgeon might ask some uncomfortable questions, it’s important you give honest answers.

Even though most of these things are common knowledge, many people still keep certain things from their doctors. So before you go to your scheduled consult, here are things you absolutely have to reveal in order to ensure your doctor can do what they do the best.

#1 Your medical history

The finest advice the surgeon can provide you in the lead-up to the big day will come from a comprehensive evaluation of your entire medical history. That’s why your plastic surgeon must know about all you’ve gone through, including operations you’ve had.

Your plastic surgeon wants to know if you’ve ever been hospitalized for infections, diabetes, depression, asthma, cancer, or other illnesses. They will also check your family history for risk factors for various health conditions, notably those that affect how well your blood clots.

Allergies and usage of any prescription drugs are other information that should be shared. This is especially important if you have had issues with prescription medication abuse and have previously gone through prescription drug rehab. If that’s the case, make sure to first reach out to experts or talk to your sponsor to make sure you’re feeling ready for cosmetic surgery.

#2 Your drinking and smoking habits

While the occasional glass of wine with dinner is not a cause for alarm, consuming an entire bottle of wine nightly is cause for concern. You should be honest about your alcohol consumption with your plastic surgeon.

Woman sipping red wine from a big glass

Your drinking habits are another thing you should never lie to your plastic surgeon about.

On the other hand, you might be the person that tells people you just smoke occasionally, but in reality, you’re going through a pack every day. However, during your breast lift consult, make sure you’re honest about your smoking habits. Your cosmetic surgeon should be aware of your smoking status, even if you really just smoke on occasion. It’s crucial you abstain from nicotine for at least two weeks before surgery and during the healing process. You don’t want to slow down the scarring and healing process by smoking. 

#3 Your age

our age is another thing you should never lie to your plastic surgeon about. If someone were to inquire about your age and you wanted to impress them, it would be one thing, but your cosmetic surgeon must know the truth. Besides, you will need to provide them with a copy of your government-issued health card, which should clearly show your age.

They need to know your exact age for two reasons: first, to determine what your body can safely manage, and second, to give you the best care possible. The recovery period for a breast reduction would be shorter for a woman of 25 than for a woman of 60. It is not unheard of for people in their sixties to opt for cosmetic surgery. Still, your doctor will need to know your exact date of birth to make appropriate preparations and ensure a speedy recovery.

#4 Substance use

The US is facing a massive increase in drug use, and, unfortunately, patients are still keeping their doctors in the dark. Most people are hesitant to discuss their drug use because they’re worried it would damage their ability to get insurance or keep their jobs. However, this can’t be further from the truth because this information won’t stay in your medical record after your plastic surgery.

Hiding information like this from your plastic surgeon can do more damage than good. Even if you are a recreational user, don’t hesitate to tell your surgeon. This is even more important if you have previously had substance abuse issues. The experts from brightfuturestreatment.com, who helped hundreds of people battle substance addiction, emphasize the importance of disclosing this information to your physician, regardless of your type of intervention. You never know if that piece of information will become helpful.

#5 Supplements you use

Keeping you healthy and content is a top priority for your doctor. Some patients are reluctant to discuss their usage of natural medicines with their physicians, mostly out of fear of being ridiculed for their faith in vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. In any case, your plastic surgeon will need to know what medications you’re taking to rule out any potentially dangerous combinations.

Close-up photo of a person holding yellow pills

Because different substances can interact with anesthesia, it’s essential you inform your plastic surgeon about any supplements or medications you take.

Many medical professionals think vitamins are helpful for their patients who are deficient in specific nutrients. However, there can be interactions between specific vitamins or herbs and anesthesia or prescription drugs. We can’t stress enough how important it is not to keep this from your doctor.

Final Thoughts

Always remember that being honest about your past will help alleviate complications in your future. This is especially true regarding your health, so make sure never to lie to your plastic surgeon. That’s the only way to come out of their office healthy and happy with the result. 

 

Dr. Wald Looks forward to
helping you reach your
cosmetic goals.
Schedule a consultation


Robert Wald, MD
100 E. Valencia Mesa Drive, Suite 300
Fullerton, CA 92835


Phone: 714-312-3549
Fax: 714-738-1862

Get To Know Dr. Wald
Free Consultation Limited Time Offer!