Best results from the best choices
Posted on February 25th, 2009 in Liposuction, Plastic Surgery News, plastic surgery complications | 2 Comments »
In an earlier blog, I wrote about making sure patients searching for cosmetic plastic surgery take time to learn about the procedures they are interested in and to be sure to select a board certified plastic surgeon with experience. To illustrate these points and how important judgement is, here are some current news stories dealing with cosmetic surgery complications.
A family medicine physician was sentenced to 9 months in jail for performing facial cosmetic surgery procedures on women which resulted in complications. He has been under investigation with the board of medicine and had a restricted license preventing him from performing cosmetic surgery. Despite this, he continued to perform facial and breast surgeries on people. He was convicted of aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm. He was performing these surgeries and telling people he was board certified, but not by whom.
In Beverly Hills, a radiologist opened a liposuction center and was performing liposuction on people without training. He has a civil suit against him for allegedly allowing his girlfriend and another person to perform the surgeries. He was also using the fat to try and fuel his car, (also against the law). He has fled the country and now is practicing in South America.
In Oregon, a woman sued and won lawsuits against a dermatologist she believed to be a plastic surgeon based on the dermatologist deceptive advertising. She also sued and won a larger suit ($1.32 million) against the magazine publisher who allowed the deceptive advertising practices and even promoted that type of advertising. The verdict was affirmed by the state Supreme Court.
The point of these examples, is take time to Verify credentials. Do not believe what someone tells you or see in a magazine. Educate yourself, and select properly trained plastic surgeons with extensive patient examples and referrals. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Never compromise or barter when it comes to your health or your body. It is a very precious resource.
Tags: surgery complications, assault causing bodily harm, plastic surgeon, cosmetic plastic surgery, deceptive advertising practices
2 Comments
What steps would a potential patient take in verifying the credentials of a plastic surgeon? Thank you in advance for your response.
The best source of information is to go back to the websites. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) has its own web site. That is the board that plastic surgeons are credentialed by. You must be board certified to be a member of certain societies. For instance, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and The American Society for Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) both require ABPS certification. You may also go to these societies to see if they are members. You may also request/search the State Board of Health or Medicine to see if anyone has filed complaints or lawsuits about potential surgeons.
These are all important, but none of the above dictates that they are good/skilled plastic surgeons. Just that they passed their tests, pay their dues and have not gotten into trouble.
Ask to see many photos of before and after (enough for you to be comfortable) patients that they have done. Do not settle for one or two. For instance, my breast augmentation web sites have ~3000 before and after photos. I hope this helps.