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Kouros Azar, M.D. (doctorazar.com), Noted Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Offers Top 10 Tips to Patients to Help Celebrate National Patient Safety Awareness Week

Posted on: Friday, 13 March 2009, 14:25 CDT

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Kouros Azar, M.D. offers his Top 10 Tips to patients to help celebrate National Patient Safety Awareness Week from March 8 to 14, 2009 sponsored by The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) in Massachusetts.

Patient safety and comfort are paramount to Dr. Azar, a sole practitioner, at his new 3000 square foot state-of-the-art facilities located at 425 Haaland Drive, Suite 200 in Thousand Oaks. Dr. Azar explains with a sincere smile, "I purposefully wanted to be on my own so that my moral and ethical standards didn't have to revolve around a medical group philosophy or another doctor's set of surgical standards." Dr. Azar warns of avoiding unsafe doctors and unsafe procedures that are merely market driven and dangerous.

1. Make sure your surgeon is CERTIFIED by The American Board of Plastic Surgery - no other board is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties; be specific about the language when asking.

2. Make sure your surgeon is using an accredited operating room facility.

3. Be sure your anesthesia is administered by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist with a Medical Degree.

4. Discuss goals for your surgery with the surgeon for a realistic understanding of what can be achieved.

5. Be honest about any medical problems you have or meds you are taking when speaking to your surgeon.

6. Make sure your surgeon and anesthesiologist know any prior problems you had with surgery or anesthesia.

7. If a smoker, discuss risks with your surgeon; no smoking 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery.

8. Two weeks before surgery, avoid any over the counter pain meds; ask surgeon to list meds to avoid.

9. Avoid all energy drinks, energy booster supplements or any kind of stimulants 2 weeks before surgery.

10. Trust in your surgeon and communicate with him or her about any questions, thoughts or reservations you may have at any time during your care. Maintain open lines of communication.

Dr. Azar adds, "Prospective patients who prepare for life changing surgical procedures need to exercise caution at all times. Most plastic surgeries are elective, but some are medically required (post-cancer) procedures; preventative measures such as asking questions and asking for references are vital parts of doing your pre-operative homework. Diplomas on the waiting room wall are not enough anymore."

Dr. Azar's personality profile can be seen regularly in New Beauty magazine; the noted plastic and reconstructive surgeon is also a contributing writer to the plastic surgery industry's leading publications. Dr. Azar is equally excited about his new association with Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts on Melrose in their West Hollywood / Beverly Hills location and their celebrity clientele which starts in April 2009.

For more information please visit http://www.doctorazar.com or call (805) 496-4242 / (818) 761-1340

Press Release submitted by http://www.parsnational.com

SOURCE Azar Plastic Surgery

Source: PR Newswire

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