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The Golden Rule of Safe Aesthetic Procedures: Right Patient, Proper Planning, Expert Surgeon
In recent years, aesthetic surgery has become increasingly popular worldwide. However, many patients still perceive cosmetic procedures primarily as appearance-enhancing treatments rather than medical operations. In reality, aesthetic surgery is a serious medical intervention that requires comprehensive evaluation, careful planning, and strict patient safety protocols.
A widely reported international case recently highlighted the risks associated with inadequate medical assessment prior to surgery. According to public reports, a patient with a complex medical history, including major organ transplantation, was previously considered unsuitable for surgery in her home country but later underwent an aesthetic procedure abroad and experienced fatal complications.
Such cases emphasize a crucial reality: complications are often not caused by aesthetic surgery itself, but by insufficient preoperative evaluation and inappropriate patient selection.
This article explains why medical history assessment is vital before aesthetic surgery, how risks can be minimized, and why procedures must always be performed by qualified and experienced plastic surgeons.
Aesthetic Surgery Is Not a Beauty Treatment — It Is a Medical Procedure
One of the most common misconceptions is that aesthetic operations are simple or low-risk procedures. In fact, aesthetic surgeries involve:
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General or regional anesthesia
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Surgical incisions
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Tissue manipulation
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Physiological stress on the body
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Potential risks such as bleeding, infection, or thromboembolism
For this reason, the preparation phase is just as important as the surgery itself. For experienced plastic surgeons, the process begins not in the operating room—but with comprehensive patient evaluation.
Why Is Medical History So Important?
Every patient has unique physiological characteristics. Certain medical conditions can significantly increase surgical risks, including:
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History of organ transplantation
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Cardiovascular disease
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Diabetes mellitus
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Blood clotting disorders
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Chronic medication use
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Autoimmune or immune-suppressive conditions
In the widely discussed case mentioned above, reports indicated that the patient had previously undergone liver transplantation, which may have increased surgical risk. Situations like this highlight one of the most important principles in medicine: Not every requested surgery should be performed. In some cases, refusing surgery is the safest medical decision.
A True Expert Knows When Not to Operate
The success of an experienced plastic surgeon is not measured solely by the number of procedures performed, but by clinical judgement. Professional expertise includes the ability to:
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Identify high-risk patients
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Decline unsafe procedures
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Recommend alternative solutions
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Prioritize patient safety above expectations
Ethical surgical practice means protecting the patient—even when it requires saying “no.”
Essential Preoperative Evaluations Before Aesthetic Surgery
A safe aesthetic surgery process includes several critical steps:
1. Detailed Medical History (Anamnesis)
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Previous surgeries
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Chronic illnesses
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Medication use
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Allergies and sensitivities
2. Laboratory Testing
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Liver function tests
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Blood clotting parameters
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Infection markers
3. Anesthesia Assessment
A comprehensive risk evaluation performed by an anesthesiologist.
4. Multidisciplinary Consultation
When necessary, additional evaluations by cardiology or internal medicine specialists. These steps are not formalities—they are life-protective measures.
Medical Tourism and Patient Safety
Türkiye has become one of the world’s leading destinations for aesthetic surgery. However, patient safety depends not on pricing or marketing, but on medical standards and surgical expertise. Patients should carefully evaluate:
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Board certification in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
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Accredited hospital operating facilities
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Emergency and intensive care infrastructure
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Thorough preoperative assessment processes
Rushed decisions or insufficient evaluation can significantly increase risks.
Why Reconstructive Surgery Training Matters
Plastic surgeons with reconstructive training possess advanced knowledge of:
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Tissue healing dynamics
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Complication management
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Anatomical reconstruction
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Risk stratification
This expertise becomes particularly important in complex or combined aesthetic procedures.
A Patient-Safety-Oriented Approach: Op. Dr. Gökhan Semerci
Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Gökhan Semerci approaches aesthetic surgery not only from an aesthetic perspective but through a comprehensive medical safety framework. His clinical philosophy is based on:
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Patient safety as the primary priority
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Detailed medical evaluation
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Personalized surgical planning
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Avoidance of unnecessary procedures
Recognizing that not every patient is a suitable surgical candidate reflects one of the highest standards of professional ethics in modern plastic surgery.
Questions Patients Should Ask Before Surgery
Patients considering aesthetic procedures should openly discuss:
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Is my medical history suitable for surgery?
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Are there safer alternatives?
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What are my individualized risks?
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Are there situations where surgery should be postponed or avoided?
A qualified surgeon provides transparent, evidence-based answers to these questions.
Why Do Complications Occur?
Most complications are associated with:
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Inadequate patient evaluation
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Ignoring chronic medical conditions
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Excessively long surgical procedures
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Poor patient selection
Modern aesthetic surgery shows that many complications can be significantly reduced through proper planning and medical assessment.
The Five Golden Rules of Safe Aesthetic Surgery
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Share your full medical history honestly
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Choose a certified plastic surgeon
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Undergo comprehensive preoperative evaluation
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Maintain realistic expectations
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Avoid rushed decisions
Aesthetic Surgery Is a Health Decision — Not a Trend
Social media has made aesthetic procedures more visible than ever. However, aesthetic surgery should never be approached as a quick lifestyle choice.
Every aesthetic operation remains a medical intervention requiring professional evaluation and responsible decision-making.
The Best Result Is a Safe Result
The goal of aesthetic surgery is not merely to change appearance, but to improve quality of life while protecting patient health.
Recent high-profile cases serve as important reminders that successful outcomes depend on:
✔ Proper patient selection
✔ Thorough medical evaluation
✔ An experienced and qualified surgeon
The safest first step toward aesthetic surgery is consulting a specialist who evaluates you not only aesthetically, but medically and ethically.
