What Medical Records Should I Bring?

Bringing complete medical records can make revision surgery safer and easier to plan. Previous operative details, implant information, photographs, and complication records help the new surgeon understand what was changed and what tissue may still be available.

This guide explains which records to collect before traveling for revision surgery.

📄 Previous Operative Reports

The operative report is one of the most useful documents.

It may explain:

• Which surgical technique was used
• What tissue was removed or repositioned
• Where incisions were made
• Which implants or grafts were placed
• Whether complications occurred during surgery
• Which anatomical structures were altered

👉 Ask the original clinic for the complete operative note rather than only a surgery certificate

🧾 Procedure and Discharge Summaries

Bring any documents showing:

• The exact procedure name
• Date of surgery
• Type of anesthesia
• Length of hospital stay
• Postoperative instructions
• Medications prescribed
• Early recovery findings

👉 These records help create an accurate timeline of your previous treatment

🦴 Implant and Graft Information

If an implant or graft was used, collect:

• Implant brand and model
• Size and shape
• Serial or lot number
• Material type
• Placement location
• Cartilage or tissue donor site

This may apply to:

• Nasal implants
• Breast implants
• Chin or facial implants
• Fixation plates or screws
• Mesh or other support materials

👉 Implant cards, packaging labels, and product stickers can all be helpful

📸 Before-and-After Photographs

Bring clear photographs from:

• Before the original surgery
• Early postoperative recovery
• Different stages of healing
• Before and after any later procedures
• The current condition

Useful angles may include:

• Front view
• Side views
• Three-quarter views
• Close-up images
• Natural facial expressions

👉 Unedited photographs help the surgeon identify when and how the problem developed

🩻 Imaging and Test Results

Depending on the procedure, bring:

• CT scans
• MRI scans
• Ultrasound results
• X-rays
• Nasal airway testing
• Visual-field tests
• Eye examinations
• Nerve or muscle testing

Whenever possible, bring both:

• The written report
• The original image files

👉 A written summary may not show every structural detail needed for revision planning

💉 Filler and Injection Records

Provide information about all previous injections, including:

• Hyaluronic acid fillers
• Permanent fillers
• Fat injections
• Steroid injections
• Biostimulatory products
• Dissolving injections
• Unknown injectable substances

Include:

• Product name
• Injection date
• Approximate amount
• Treatment area
• Any complications

👉 Even old injections may affect surgical dissection and tissue behavior

🦠 Complication and Treatment Records

Bring records related to:

• Infection
• Bleeding or hematoma
• Wound separation
• Skin damage
• Implant exposure
• Tissue necrosis
• Breathing or vision problems
• Emergency treatment

Also include:

• Culture results
• Antibiotic history
• Drainage procedures
• Implant removal records
• Hospital admission summaries

👉 The surgeon needs to know whether infection or tissue damage has fully resolved

💊 Current Medication List

Prepare a complete list of:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Vitamins
• Herbal products
• Hormonal medications
• Blood thinners
• Weight-loss or injectable medications

Include the dose and how often you take each one.

👉 Do not stop medication before surgery unless instructed by a qualified clinician

🩺 Medical History

Tell the surgical team about:

• Heart or lung conditions
• Diabetes
• Bleeding disorders
• Previous blood clots
• Allergies
• Autoimmune conditions
• Problems with anesthesia
• Delayed wound healing
• Smoking or nicotine use

👉 General health can affect anesthesia, circulation, scarring, and travel safety

🔬 Laboratory Results

Recent testing may include:

• Complete blood count
• Liver and kidney function
• Blood-clotting tests
• Blood glucose
• Pregnancy testing
• Infection screening
• Electrocardiogram

The Korean hospital may repeat tests even when you bring recent results.

👉 Ask which tests must be completed locally and how recent outside results must be

📝 A Personal Surgery Timeline

Create a simple chronological summary showing:

• Date of each surgery
• Country and clinic
• Surgeon’s name
• Procedure performed
• Implants, grafts, or fillers used
• When symptoms began
• Treatments attempted
• Current functional and cosmetic concerns

👉 A one-page timeline can help the surgeon understand a complicated history quickly

🌐 Do the Records Need Translation?

Records may need translation when they are not written in Korean or English.

Ask the clinic whether it requires:

• Full certified translations
• English summaries
• Translation of only key sections
• Original-language copies with translated notes

👉 Do not rely only on automatic translation for critical implant or operative details

📱 Can I Bring Digital Copies?

Yes, but organize them carefully.

Useful formats include:

• PDF documents
• Original CT or MRI files
• Secure cloud folders
• USB storage accepted by the hospital
• Clearly labeled image folders

Also carry important records offline in case internet access fails.

👉 Keep copies on more than one device and protect files containing personal medical information

⚠️ What If Records Are Missing?

Revision may still be possible, but planning may be less predictable.

The surgeon may need to rely on:

• Physical examination
• Imaging
• Visible scars
• Your treatment history
• Findings discovered during surgery

👉 Missing records may change the surgical plan or require additional testing

❗ Red Flags

❌ The clinic says previous records are never necessary
❌ Implant or filler history is ignored
❌ Surgery is confirmed without reviewing complications
❌ Edited photographs are used as the only assessment
❌ No medical history or medication review is performed
❌ Unknown materials are assumed to be harmless

👉 A careful revision consultation should investigate both the previous procedure and your current condition

✔️ Records Checklist

Bring:

• Operative reports
• Procedure and discharge summaries
• Implant or graft details
• Before-and-after photographs
• Imaging and test results
• Injection and filler records
• Complication treatment records
• Medication and allergy lists
• Relevant medical history
• A chronological surgery timeline

👉 Send digital copies before consultation and carry the originals or backups when traveling

Quick Summary

Most Important Record
• The complete previous operative report

Implants and Grafts
• Bring product, size, material, and placement information

Photos and Imaging
• Provide unedited photographs and original scan files

Medical Safety
• Include medications, allergies, conditions, and complication history

Best Approach
• Organize all records into a clear chronological file before consultation

Final Thoughts

Complete records can improve revision planning and reduce uncertainty:

• Operative notes reveal what was changed
• Implant and injection records identify materials still in the body
• Photographs and scans show how the condition developed
• Medical history helps the team plan anesthesia and recovery safely

👉 Collect as much information as possible, but do not delay urgent medical treatment when records are incomplete.