Lessons From Donda West
The Right Post-operative Care is No Less Important Than the Right Surgeon
Donda West did not die in the operating room; she did not die from an error or immediate complication of surgery, nor from anesthesia, according to the L.A. County Coroner. The exact cause of death could not be determined, however the AP reported that: "...two unidentified women told a dispatcher that West suffered a heart attack and unsuccessfully tried to revive her".
I have often been asked: "Is home the best location in which to recover after you have a long and complex operation under anesthesia?" Since surgical care does not end with the last stitch, here are questions that I believe should be asked, at consultation, of the doctor, regarding the immediate postoperative period and safety issues related to it:
So as you see, much thought should be given beyond "what procedure should I have". One's particular medical and personal requirements need thoughtful evaluation. That is why the top practices know that personalized, super-attentive care before, during and after the operating room are all necessary to have a safe and satisfactory experience for the patient.
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Technorati Tags: donda west, cosmetic, surgery, complications, news
Donda West did not die in the operating room; she did not die from an error or immediate complication of surgery, nor from anesthesia, according to the L.A. County Coroner. The exact cause of death could not be determined, however the AP reported that: "...two unidentified women told a dispatcher that West suffered a heart attack and unsuccessfully tried to revive her".
I have often been asked: "Is home the best location in which to recover after you have a long and complex operation under anesthesia?" Since surgical care does not end with the last stitch, here are questions that I believe should be asked, at consultation, of the doctor, regarding the immediate postoperative period and safety issues related to it:
- Given my age and my health status, am I at greater risk for postoperative complications or problems?
Answer: Teens and young adults having cosmetic nasal surgery, breast augmentation or reduction, or correction of protruding ears, rarely take prescription drugs regularly. They have no underlying disease processes and they are on no medications that might have a bearing on their recovery. Thus, they present nearly zero risk for anesthesia and for the postoperative recovery period.
However, older patients, particularly having longer, more involved procedures, such as face and neck lifting, tummy tucks or full-body liposuction, are often being treated by their internists for several chronic medical conditions. The most common are high blood pressure, arthritis and elevated cholesterol. Those, among others, require long-term medication and all medications have some side effects and possible interactions with drugs used during surgery or in recovery. Such patients place greater demands on the anesthesia specialist during surgery and are at higher risk for postoperative problems and complications. Also, there is some stress placed upon the body during the first several days of recovery. For those with low tolerance to pain or who do not fare well under stress, there is presented an extra burden to the body. Sometimes, and under certain circumstances, such stressors may cause significant medical complications. - Given the type of procedure (and the length of the operation), how does that impact on my decision as to where to recover and who will be attending to me?
Answer: The patient needs to make a decision, with their doctor, as to which of the following locations is most wise with respect to safety and care issues:
Hospital, home with family or friend caregiver, home with a nurse, home with a nurse experienced with and specializing in post-op care of cosmetic surgery patients, or, a professionally-staffed, exclusively post-cosmetic surgery recovery facility.
For healthy, young patients, little postoperative care is required and may properly be provided by any adult family member. Having a "nurse" who might be a nurse's aide or even a registered nurse is helpful and provides an extra level of professional knowledge and attentiveness.
Having a nurse experienced with and specializing in postoperative care of cosmetic surgery patients is an excellent one-on-one, high level service.
Recovering in a professional recovery hideaway has the advantages of full service medical and care functions; room, board, nursing and transportation to the doctor's office for post-op visits. This includes having its own medical formulary and immediate access to a pharmacy 24 hours a day. These facilities also have round-the-clock staffing of nursing assistance and registered nurses who have a high level of experience and specialization. These facilities are outfitted to measure oxygen saturation and lung function after surgery, in addition to the usual pulse, blood pressure and temperature monitoring.
So as you see, much thought should be given beyond "what procedure should I have". One's particular medical and personal requirements need thoughtful evaluation. That is why the top practices know that personalized, super-attentive care before, during and after the operating room are all necessary to have a safe and satisfactory experience for the patient.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: donda west, cosmetic, surgery, complications, news
3 Comments:
Outpatient surgery really scares me these days, especially the amount that goes on in Cosmetics often sends home folks after hours of reconstruction and you know that the average husband/wife aren't as qualified for care as a nurse in a facility!
It is extremely unfortunate what happened to Ms. West and hopfully anyone who is considering recovery at home right away will think twice.
Hello everyone in this blog.
I was a patient of a Dermacare in Miami, FL. I had surgery done this year. I paid for smartlipo and vaser. I brought an advertised promotional price w/ me upon my consultation prior to scheduling the surgery, and the price was within my range, so I scheduled the two procedures. The Dr. performed only vaser, no smartlipo, and took 3 long and painful hours to perform the surgery. I was in a lot of pain, very much pain. I complained over and over and over, but he said that since the clinic is not capable or resuscitating a patient on-site, he couldn't afford to give me more sedatives/local anethesia. I suffered through it, and the next few days were just as painful. Sleeping was impossible.
He said he only did the vaser b/c he would come in and do the smart lipo some other time, after I healed. It's been three months, and he hasn't done the smart lipo, and I have a lump on my left side. The general area around the surgery area is all malformed and mishaped. He won't do the smart lipo now b/c his "accounting" staff say that since I was given a discount, I paid for what he did and not both procedures. Now they say they will charge me an additional large fee (almost equal to my initial payment) to do what he never did. Everytime I call to talk to the doctor I get switched around and never get to speak with him. I've even made appointments to see him, once I even waited three hours after my set appt time and NEVER GOT TO SEE THE DOCTOR.
I want to sue this clinic, I've never sued anyone, and this is not a habit, I am just so irrate and feel so impotent right now...I hear from other surgeons that there is a class action by patients against Dermacare, I thought this was the right place to start my research. I would like to be able to find out the name of the attorney (or attorneys, or attorney firm) that is spearheading the class-action agains Dermacare, on behalf of patients who have been lied to and left mishapen, and overcharged, and tortured for hours.
I will come back and check this site for an update, if anyone has information, please post it. Thanks a million!
-- Still in pain months later...
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