The Enhanced Doctor

Liu Banxia scrutinized her closely. "This wasn't caused by a punch. Have you undergone facial plastic surgery with implants? Which hospital performed the procedure?"

"It was done overseas," Liang Xiaolin stated.

"Did you have autologous fat grafting, or implants? When did it take place?" Liu Banxia continued to query.

"Implants, almost two months ago," Tang Feifei said. "Then, a few days ago, I started feeling some itchiness and pain. After taking some anti-inflammatory drugs, it all swelled up."

"It's likely an allergic reaction to the implants, leading to an infection," Liu Banxia proposed. "Let's measure your temperature first and do a blood test. Have you noticed any recent changes in your immune system?"

"I haven't noticed a decrease in my immunity, but I do have a bit of a fever," the patient finally spoke.

"Dr. Liu, after the check-up, can we just get some IV antibiotics to eliminate the infection?" Tang Feifei asked.

Liu Banxia shook his head. "It depends on how serious the infection is. From my observations, it looks quite severe already. If it's a bacterial infection, the implants will need to be removed, and the contact surfaces will require debridement and sterilization."

"Ah... So... it was all for nothing, then? Can I get new implants later?" the patient asked anxiously.

"Personally, I wouldn't recommend refilling," Liu Banxia told them.

"You're not short on money, and you had it done overseas. I'm sure you chose a legitimate plastic surgery hospital, so the quality of the materials used should be good.

"However, some people are prone to allergic reactions, and their bodies reject foreign substances. At this point, the area near your nose might already be forming pus.

"Even if you choose to have another implant procedure, a secondary infection might occur. By then, it could be much more serious than this time, possibly even leading to septicemia.

"While beauty is important, life must always come first. During your trip overseas, did you only have surgery on your nose and face? Or were there other areas?"

"My buttocks," the patient said softly.

"Autologous fat grafting is the best option because the body is least likely to reject it," Liu Banxia suggested. "Let's wait for the results. If the issue is really serious, I'll take you to our hospital's plastic surgery department."

"Dr. Liu, is it really that serious?" Tang Feifei still seemed rather skeptical.

"Don't think doctors are just trying to scare you," Liu Banxia said. "You came in for a check-up, which means you must know the situation is serious. Did you also have a procedure done?"

Tang Feifei was taken aback, then shook her head vigorously.

"It's alright if you did," Liu Banxia said casually. "Everyone cherishes beauty. As long as your body doesn't reject it and the hospital is legitimate, it's fine."

Tang Feifei was quite vexed. How could he suspect her of having plastic surgery too? She had her own natural advantages; she didn't need any.

"Yarong, don't fret. Let's wait for the test results," Tang Feifei comforted her after blood was drawn.

"I think her features are already very balanced. Why did she need plastic surgery?" Liu Banxia asked.

"She wanted to compete for a role in a new film, but now with this situation, auditioning for the role is out of the question," Tang Feifei replied.

"One last time, and I need you to be honest: apart from your nose, face, and buttocks, did you have procedures done anywhere else?" Liu Banxia asked once again.

Tang Feifei bit her lip. "Also my breasts."

Liu Banxia felt quite helpless. They'd come to see a doctor but still weren't telling the whole truth, only revealing bits of information when prodded, like squeezing toothpaste from a tube. Who were they fooling? Weren't they just harming themselves?

He took out his phone and dialed Hu Qingqiu from the plastic surgery department.

"Liu, what's up?" Hu Qingqiu answered after a few rings.

"Director Hu, are you busy?" Liu Banxia explained. "I have a patient here who underwent plastic surgery with implants, and she seems to have an infection now. If you aren't busy, I'd like to bring her over for you to look at once her blood test results are out."

"Alright, how about in an hour?" Hu Qingqiu said. "I have another consultation then, but just bring her directly."

"Thanks, Director Hu. I'll bring her over later," Liu Banxia said hurriedly.

"Dr. Liu, don't you need to conduct further tests?" Tang Feifei asked as soon as Liu Banxia put down his phone.

"Ideally, a palpation exam should be done, but that can be painful," Liu Banxia explained. "Besides, I'm not a specialist in plastic surgery. It's better to let the experts handle their area of expertise.

"The person I just called is Director Hu from our hospital's Plastic Surgery Department. When she sees him, she'll receive a thorough examination. In fact, if you had sent me her photos earlier, I would've taken her straight there.

"Don't always be so fascinated with foreign plastic surgery techniques; ours aren't bad either. It's just that they perform more surgeries overseas, especially in South Korea. Plastic surgery there is almost universal, so many people assume their techniques are better.

"Actually, that's about it. Sometimes, when they're swamped with work, they might cut corners with foreign clients. Even if you want to argue your case or file a lawsuit over there, who would care?

"There's another thing. Especially for those of you in the entertainment industry, you're always busy and on the go, so your general health is often poor. Therefore, even if you're considering plastic surgery, you should get your body in good shape before you go.

"As I just said, you have to figure out what's more important: beauty or life. Don't look at me like that. You may not have had plastic surgery, but your health isn't great either."

The last sentence was directed at Tang Feifei, which made her even more displeased.

"But other people have had plastic surgery, and they seem fine," Tang Feifei argued.

"Don't be so quick to argue," Liu Banxia replied. "If you're filming, you're bound to get some bumps and bruises. Those can easily trigger an infection."

Tang Feifei opened her mouth to refute Liu Banxia, but she couldn't deny that what he said made sense. In the end, all she could do was stew in her own anger.

"I'm only telling you all this because I'm in a good mood today," Liu Banxia continued.

"Infections like these can easily lead to sepsis, which has a high mortality rate. This is because it directly contaminates the blood, which then circulates throughout the body. Don't take it lightly.

"Let's go. Get yourselves ready, and I'll take you to Director Hu. After that, my job here is done; I still have other patients to see. Doctor Liang, please make a trip and take the blood test results directly to the plastic surgery department."

Liang Xiaolin nodded, not daring to utter another word.

She realized then that Liu Banxia truly didn't mince words. Seeing that these two weren't taking the situation seriously, he hadn't hesitated to lecture them. Sometimes, that approach was truly necessary; otherwise, patients might think the doctor was deliberately exaggerating. This was especially true for public figures like them, who were more inclined to hide illnesses and avoid medical treatment, fearing it would spread and negatively affect their image.

On the way to the plastic surgery department, many doctors greeted Liu Banxia. After all, he was a genuine celebrity in the hospital, and his recent string of impressive surgical feats had truly amazed many.

They had timed their stroll over. Although it hadn't quite been an hour, Hu Qingqiu's consultation on his end had also finished. After all, it was best to allow some buffer time; being too rushed wasn't good.

"Director Hu, this is the patient," Liu Banxia explained. "The blood test results will be delivered soon, but there's already swelling and fever; an infection is inevitable."

Hu Qingqiu put on his gloves, gently pressed the swollen area, and nodded. "The only option is to remove the implants and insert a drain. You're quite capable of doing this yourself; why bring her to me?"

"This young lady wants to perfect her appearance, and I figured that in all of Binhai City, you're the only one who could truly handle this properly for her," Liu Banxia replied.

"You and your flattery," Hu Qingqiu shook his head helplessly.

"If the infection wasn't caused by the surgery or the implant materials, I'd advise against redoing the procedure. If a secondary infection occurs, its onset will be very rapid."

"Director Hu, once she's recovered, could we consider another method?" Liu Banxia asked.

Tang Feifei looked at him in surprise. He had been so assertive in the emergency department; why had his tune changed here?

"Unless we consider autologous fat grafting," Hu Qingqiu frowned. "However, she's not very overweight, so extracting enough fat would be difficult."

"Director Hu, Dr. Liu, the blood test results are here," Liang Xiaolin rushed in at that moment. "Her white blood cell count is a bit low."

Liu Banxia glanced at the report and then handed it to Hu Qingqiu.

After Hu Qingqiu reviewed the results, he turned to the patient. "I suggest you be hospitalized today to remove the implants and drain the pus. Although we haven't done further tests, it's almost certainly a bacterial infection. Addressing it today would be the safest course of action."

Hearing Hu Qingqiu's words, Tang Feifei naturally turned to look at Liu Banxia.

Liu Banxia also nodded. "With a common infection, the white blood cell count increases to fight off the pathogens. However, when an infection reaches a certain severity, the white blood cell count will actually decrease.

"I believe the implants in the other parts of your body are also infected to varying degrees, just not as severely as the facial infection. You were brought here by her. Out of consideration for her, Director Hu and I are not trying to frighten you."

He spoke very seriously; this was truly not a joking matter.

Tang Feifei and the patient were somewhat dazed. They had just come for a check-up, and now they had to be hospitalized for surgery to remove all the implants.

"If you decide against the procedure," Liu Banxia continued, "we'll issue a document stating that we've fulfilled our obligation to inform you of the risks. Any future problems will not be our responsibility, and we will note this in her medical records.

"You're actually lucky you thought to come to the hospital today. If you'd delayed any longer, it truly could have become uncontrollable and developed into sepsis."

Only Liu Banxia could say this, as he was the one who had brought them. Hu Qingqiu wasn't familiar with their relationship. Besides, Liu Banxia himself was becoming concerned; even he hadn't anticipated the infection being so severe.

Tang Feifei and the patient whispered to each other for a few moments, and then the patient finally nodded. Liu Banxia breathed a sigh of relief. At least she made the right choice, choosing life.

The subsequent steps were straightforward and no longer involved him; it was now a matter for the plastic surgery department.