In general, cosmetic surgery is very safe when performed by a board-certified surgeon in a licensed surgery center with an appropriate anesthesiologist. Although cosmetic surgery is safe for most patients, all surgical procedures carry some risk. All surgical procedures at David W. Allison, MD require that patients be prescreened with Dr. Allison before undergoing surgery. This is done to evaluate each patient’s candidacy for surgery and to discuss possible risks and ways to reduce them. All Gainesville patients have a full physical examination, blood work, and thorough medical history evaluation done prior to scheduling their procedure. Patients are screened for systemic medical conditions which may include high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and any other medical condition that needs to be cleared for general anesthesia. Patients undergoing breast enhancement or breast reconstruction surgery should have mammograms performed at the age of 35 or ultrasounds performed at an earlier age if there is a strong family history of breast cancer. 

Not everyone will be approved for cosmetic surgery. Serious medical conditions make cosmetic surgery unadvisable for a small number of patients. Some individuals are considered poor candidates because of specific lifestyle factors that can seriously impact their safety in the operating room and during recovery. Some of these lifestyle factors include:

• Current weight and history of weight fluctuations
• Nutrition and vitamin supplements
• Exercise frequency and type 
• Smoking habits and exposure to secondhand smoke
• Alcohol consumption
• Sun exposure
• Sleep patterns
• Stress level and coping mechanisms

Potential cosmetic surgery patients are encouraged to adopt daily habits that promote good health – both in preparation for and following cosmetic surgery. In Gainesville, Dr. Allison treats each patient individually on a case-by case basis to ensure the utmost safety for all. If you are interested in cosmetic surgery, contact David W. Allison, MD at 703-754-8228 or website to schedule a consultation.