STI: The specialists

March 5, 2009

The specialists

In this third segment of a four-part series on medical specialists, MARGARET LEE tells us why and when we should consult them

 

Plastic surgeon

 

What should this specialist be consulted for?

 

A plastic surgeon should be consulted for reconstructive and aesthetic treatments of the face and body. For example, specialist plastic surgeon at Mt Elizabeth Hospital, Dr Andrew Khoo, treats skin lesions and cancers (reconstructive) but also rejuvenates patients' faces that show signs of ageing (aesthetic).

 

When should you consult one?

 

Dr Khoo said there is no fixed time or age where one should consult a plastic surgeon. From a reconstructive point of view, a plastic surgeon may be involved as early as in the first few months of life - for example, in treating an infant with a cleft lip - or late in a patient's life, as in the case of an elderly patient who needs some rejuvenation or treatment of skin cancer.

 

Generally, anyone regardless of age or gender, who needs or wants aesthetic or reconstructive treatment of the face and body, may see a plastic surgeon.

 

How often?

 

This depends on the type of surgery or treatment that is being administered. For

 

Dr Khoo's surgical patients, after the removal of stitches, there are usually two consultations post-surgery. The first is scheduled at around a month after the surgery and the second is three months later to review the result. Treatments that involve lasers, IPL or radio-frequency require multiple consultations that are four to six weeks apart.

 

Paediatrician

 

What should this specialist be consulted for?

 

Paediatricians can be consulted for anything related to child health, though most would have their own area(s) of expertise, for example, paediatric allergies.

 

When should you consult one?

 

Newborns and children are the typical patients, either for regular developmental assessments or for specific health concerns that cannot be attended to by a general practitioner.

 

Paediatricians will usually see children from the time they are born up until they are 16 years old, though some patients choose to see their paediatrician well into adulthood due to familiarity and comfort.

 

How often?

 

Barring any underlying chronic illnesses in the first year of a child's life, a paediatrician should be consulted approximately every two months for vaccinations and developmental assessments, although these services can also be provided by general practitioners. From then on, visits are generally limited to when the child is ill.

 

Treatments such as lasers, IPL or radio-frequency require multiple visits that are 4 to 6 weeks apart