Are You a Problem Patient?
Believe it or not, even in the field of labiaplasty and vaginoplasty, there are problem patients. In fact, the same sorts of problem patients that doctors find in any other field. In fact, plastic surgeons are becoming increasingly wary of problem patients, and many try to identify them ahead of time so they can turn them away.
Plastic surgeons dealing with difficult patients. Plenty of facial plastic surgeons are more wary today of difficult patients and taking additional measures to identify them in consultations and turn them away. So before you go in for your labiaplasty or vaginoplasty or any other "plasty," let’s see if you qualify as one of the trouble-makers.
- 1) Problem patient number one is the idealist. This is someone who expects perfection. She wants the results of her procedure to make her look like the most gorgeous and sexy movie star in Hollywood.
2) Problem patient number two is someone who for some reason, considers herself an expert to knows as much about the procedure as the doctor herself. So she’s constantly advising the doctor.
3) Then there’s problem patient number three, the one who is constantly looking for the perfect doctor but can never seem to find her.
Truthfully, problem patients have always been around. However, because now there are so many more available procedures, we see them more often, and we see a greater variety of problem patient types..
While it sounds somewhat humorous talking about these problem patients, you should know that you fall into any of these categories, more and more plastic surgeons will simply refuse to operate on you. True, there is tremendous financial incentive to take on any patient, butmore surgeons are finding that there can be stark consequences in operating on a patient with unrealistic expectations. It might result in the need for one revision surgery after another, or even a frivolous lawsuit.
And it’s not just the surgeons who are dealing with problem patients People supervising waiting rooms are finding them sometimes a challenge out there as they’re waiting to be seen. Even worse, their disruptive behavior doesn’t necessarily stop even at the doctor’s office or medical center. Many patients are finding Internet discussion forums where they can take out their gripes for the world to see.
There was one case like that back in 2005, in which a patient decided to sue a facial plastic surgeon for alleged malpractice. As part of her attempt to get back at the surgeon, she set up a complaint website—but later lost the lawsuit.
It’s a pity that there is ever any kind of animosity between plastic surgeon and patient, since in most cases, both really do have the patient’s best interests in mind. However, if you feel deep inside that you might qualify as a problem patient, you need to do some deep soul searching. Talk with others who have had a similar procedure and find out if they feel your expectations are too high. If so, lower them, and after you’re confident you’ve found a competent surgeon, then just force yourself to accept the fact that she probably knows what needs to be done—and what CAN be done—better than you. The end result will be worth it, if you’ll just exercise a little patience.
