Your Plastic Surgeon's Office Closed - Now What?
Picture this: You have had a plastic surgery procedure in the past, and you are considering another procedure now. You want more information. You call to make your appointment only to find out that your plastic surgeon’s office closed. This is a common scenario we have seen recently. Local plastic surgery practices in North Carolina (ex: Cummings Plastic Surgery in Kinston NC) close sometimes due to retirement or a move.
You do your research and find another board certified plastic surgeon. One of the first things they will do is ask for operative notes from your last plastic surgery.
My Plastic Surgeon’s Office Closed – What are Operative Notes?
These “op notes” are a window into the details of your plastic surgery procedure. They enable plastic surgeons communicate each step of the procedure. Op notes include specific details, for example the size and type of your breast implants, and whether the breast implants are above or below the muscle. Or another example, what type of facelift was performed, and what all was done during your nose job or rhinoplasty. Was cartilage removed, replaced or reshaped? From which part of the nose? Or perhaps you had a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. Your plastic surgeon may want to know if liposuction was involved as well.
Op notes are a window into the details of your plastic surgery procedure.
Some but not all of these details can be figured out by a close physical exam. For the rest of the details, the op notes are very valuable. Having that document confirms what your plastic surgeon sees on her exam.
Getting Op Notes After Your Plastic Surgeon’s Office Closed
In the age of internet, this is much easier than before. My recommendation is start by going to your former plastic surgeon’s website. The site may show the phone number of the physician or location where your medical records are being stored. If the doctor sold his or her practice, the new doctor should be able to provide you with your medical records.
If this leads to dead ends, try reaching out to local and state medical societies like the North Carolina Society of Plastic Surgeons. They may have information about where the medical records are. If your plastic surgery procedure was performed in a hospital like UNC Rex Healthcare, Wake Med or Duke Health, contact them to request your medical records.
It can be frustrating if you plastic surgeon’s office closed, but do not give up! Usually this search requires just a bit of patience and persistence. If you still need help, feel free to contact us. Getting the op notes after your plastic surgeon’s office closed is so valuable to your future plastic surgeon. But the person who benefits from all your effort is you! Whether you are from Chapel Hill, Kinston or right here in Raleigh, your plastic surgeon will then have all the information available to prepare you for the bright future ahead.
