Do Your Research - What to Look for in a Plastic Surgeon
What does board certification mean?
A doctor achieves board certification after meeting all qualifications required by the American Board of Medical Specialties’ 24 member boards. These represent the primary areas of medicine – plastic surgery included.
What is a residency?
A residency is when a training doctor works in a hospital under the guidance and supervision of senior physicians. In order to obtain board certification, residency must be completed. This can be the separation between plastic and cosmetic surgeons.
Under the American Board of Medical Specialties, there is the American Board of Plastic Surgery – but none of the other cosmetic surgery boards. Many surgeons claim they are certified by “American Board of Cosmetic Surgery,” while it sounds similar, it is NOT the same.
While membership has increased 25% for the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, again, this does not indicate that they are board-certified plastic surgeons. In fact, less than 8% of the members are certified.
It is estimated that 50,000 to 100,000 doctors that are doing cosmetic surgery, are not board certified plastic surgeons.
Shockingly enough, some of these surgeons receive a great deal of business because of their low prices. Ever heard of Groupon? Some of these deals are featured on there.
A primary reason for this low cost is because expenses are not as high when the doctor is not using general anesthesia. Many of these surgeons are being put under local anesthesia, meaning there is no need for an anesthesiologist or a hospital.
While many patients look at this as a cost-cutting advantage, they need to understand that they may not offer anesthesia because they are not trained to offer these procedures in their facility.
What is lidocaine? What are the risks?
Liposuction is ranked as the most common surgical procedure in the United States. Therefore, everyone wants to offer this procedure to make money and gain business.
Yet, the problem stands that most of these doctors offering this procedure, do not have hospital privileges , therefore cannot give anesthesia - not to mention that there is no emergency personnel or safety equipment on site if there is a crisis.
Since there is no anesthesiologist at these procedures, the doctor gives the patient a painkiller called lidocaine. This is injected with saline solution, with slows bleeding into small incisions in the skin.
The problem: Since no “real” anesthesia is being used, there is a high chance of local anesthesia being overused. Lidocaine decrease pain in the area it is injected, however, if too much is used it can interfere with brain waves, causing seizures and the way the heart pumps.
If you are receiving surgeries that are being done in office and not at a hospital, be aware that you are going to be receiving local anesthesia. It is highly recommended to do research on any cosmetic surgery that you are interested in, as well as the doctor you are contemplating. Do not put yourself at risk for complications or death.
If you have been the victim of medical malpractice, contact Washington state attorney Chris Davis. Mr. Davis represents many victims of medical malpractice, as well as families who have wrongfully lost a loved one. Call Davis Law Group to schedule a free consultation today at (206) 727-4000.
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