I want every patient considering plastic surgery to read this post. Especially when researching surgery online, we often see that patients are unaware of potential complications, or that all scenarios are overly romanticized.

Of course, patients researching before surgery read that every procedure carries some risks, but it's easier to believe that those 'rare' situations listed in classic informational texts won't happen to them.

Here, I'm asking the most important question: What happens if one of those 'rare' situations occurs to you?

There's a particular consideration for those coming from a different city or country for treatment: your doctor may want to see you again. In some complications, we can achieve healing with proper care and follow-up without intervention, but it's also possible to encounter problems requiring further intervention.

So, what's your responsibility as a patient? The first step is to ensure your doctor is aware of every detail of the process and give them the opportunity to manage this crisis. Patients who have surgery through intermediary health institutions may struggle with this step. I believe it's beneficial and necessary to be able to communicate directly with the doctor or their team.

I particularly want to manage the post-operative processes of my patients myself. I've built the foundations of my clinic, my team, and the system I've established on this approach. At this point, I'd like to share the story of a patient I'm very fond of, with her permission. Below, you'll find a video where you'll hear the process from my patient's own words.

Sophie lives in London. After finding me on the internet, we first had an online consultation, and she decided to come to Istanbul for surgery. In January 2023, I performed a tummy tuck and liposuction. We sent her home happy with a smooth process and beautiful results. After about a year of follow-up, we decided on surgery for her double chin, back, and thigh areas, and she came back to Istanbul for double chin and back liposuction and a thigh lift. After this surgery, while she had no issues with her double chin and back areas, the thigh lift stitches opened after she returned home (I should emphasize here that thigh lift is a much higher-risk surgery for suture opening compared to other surgeries).

Although we were able to manage many complications remotely with follow-ups and correct guidance, I wanted Sophie to come back. When she arrived, we reduced the wound size with approximation sutures in the opened area and applied negative pressure wound therapy before sending her home again. After returning, with daily follow-ups and regular wound care, her wounds completely healed in a few weeks. During this process, our entire team became friends with Sophie, and now she comes to Istanbul to have dinner with us and get her regular treatments like fillers and Botox. I extend my thanks to Sophie for transparently sharing her process with my other patients.

Key Takeaways:

• Complications can happen even with the best surgeons and care

• Direct communication with your surgeon is crucial

• Be prepared for the possibility of follow-up visits

• A good surgeon will be there for you throughout the entire process, even if things don't go as planned

• Patience and trust in the process can lead to successful outcomes, even when faced with setbacks

Remember, your journey doesn't end when you leave the operating room. At our clinic, we're committed to supporting you every step of the way, ensuring you achieve the best possible results, even if we encounter unexpected challenges along the way.