Patients Agree They Should Have Done More Homework Before Surgery, ASPS Survey Reveals

Interestingly, the findings suggest that some additional knowledge about potential side effects and complications may have improved patients’ surgical experience and outcome. Before surgery, 91 percent of cosmetic plastic surgery patients said they knew what to expect; however, fewer than half recalled being informed of some common side effects and complications such as bleeding (48 percent), nausea and vomiting (42 percent), or blood clots (34 percent). Patients who experienced a side effect or complication reported being unable to accomplish tasks (35 percent), decreased energy levels (32 percent), and time away from work (27 percent) as negatively impacting their daily life during recovery.

In addition, some cosmetic plastic surgery patients failed to ask questions to help them evaluate whether their doctor was qualified to perform their procedure. Shockingly, nearly one-third (28 percent) of cosmetic plastic surgery patients did not check their doctors’ credentials before surgery. Furthermore, 37 percent did not check if their surgeon was certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and 54 percent did not check if their surgeon completed an accredited residency training program in plastic surgery.

“While it is encouraging that most patients surveyed were pleased with the outcome of their surgery, the findings stress the continued need for patients to do their homework,” said ASPS President Roxanne Guy, MD. “Ensuring your physician has the proper training and credentials and learning all you can about possible side effects and complications are essential when considering any medical procedure. You can afford to be nonchalant about some things, but surgery is not one of them.”

The survey was designed to assess the differences between 301 patients who had cosmetic plastic surgery (breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, etc) and 316 patients who had medically necessary surgery (gynecologic, orthopedic, ophthalmic, etc). However, both groups reported similar experiences, perceptions, and attitudes regarding their surgical experiences. Survey respondents were never directly asked about side effects at any point in the survey, but instead were asked about risks and complications, which in several questions included some well-known side effects such as nausea, vomiting and pain.

“The study suggests patients are not as aware as they should be when it comes to understanding possible side effects and complications after surgery,” said Dr. Guy. “Patients need to take a proactive role in their surgical experience, including asking how post-surgical side effects and complications could affect them and how to manage them. Listening closely to what your physician tells you about the potential risks of your procedure is also important.”

When preparing for surgery, patients should get answers to the following questions during their physician consultation and by reading the educational materials provided:

What are your credentials and training experience?
How many procedures of this type have you performed?
Are there alternatives to surgery?
Where and how will you perform my procedure?
What do I need to do to prepare for surgery?
What are the risks involved with my procedure?
What type of anesthesia will I need?
How can I minimize post-surgical side effects and complications such as nausea, vomiting, pain, infection or blood clots?
How will complications be handled?
How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery period?
Will my recovery keep me away from my usual, daily activities such as work? If so, how long?

The survey was supported by a grant from Merck & Co., Inc.

Methodology
The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive® for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and Merck & Co., Inc. between January 15 to 29, 2007, among 617 adults, of whom 301 had cosmetic plastic surgery under general anesthesia in the past two years and 316 had non-emergency medically necessary surgery under general anesthesia in the past two years. All respondents in the sample who had cosmetic plastic surgery under general anesthesia in the past two years were included in the cosmetic plastic surgery group. Figures for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted within both groups where necessary to bring them into line with actual proportions in the population of U.S. adults. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

With a pure probability sample of 301 one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results would have a sampling error of +/-8 percentage points. With a pure probability sample of 316 one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results would also have a sampling error of +/-8 percentage points. However, that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

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