Teaming Up With A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

San Diego, California, June 18, 2015 (Newswire.com) - As time moves forward, more legal cases are multiplying in regard to how doctors, who are not board certified in this field, are indeed placing individuals at risk. This hazard is flanked by aesthetic outcome and health issues.

When news seeps through the media, one must remain alert as it continues to trigger awareness regarding this most important issue.

Recently, the legal team of Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC distributed a press release entitled, Unqualified Plastic Surgeons Put Patients at Risk for Medical Malpractice. This press release offered a legal perspective, as well as one from the ASPS, which always encourages potential patients to do their homework. 

The introduction of the Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC press release was compelling citing the following: “There has been a recent increase of unqualified physicians performing plastic surgery on patients. This alarming trend has grown so serious that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has issued a warning regarding the failed procedures of unqualified surgeons.”  The press release continues, “The ASPS states that only board certified plastic surgeons have the necessary qualifications and specialized skills to safely perform these surgeries.”

Embedded within the document was how a group of patients who had undergone cosmetic surgery with a doctor who was not board certified in plastic surgery may have been required to seek the help of a board certified professional in the field for revision surgery.

According to the press release, those who do seek surgeons who are not board certified are likely to encounter lower rates compared to doctors who are specialists.  This informative document also states that in 2014, roughly 5.8 million Americans underwent cosmetic procedures. These were ASPS estimates which also underscored how this was an increase from previous years.

ASPS data has also indicated that the most sought after cosmetic procedures include operative facial rejuvenation procedures, liposuction, upper and lower eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, and breast surgery. In the breast surgery category, breast augmentation was most in demand. 

As one can surmise, in order to execute these procedures a surgeon must undergo vigorous training. Likewise, their education is ongoing.

While this law firm released significant information, in the same breath, it’s important to reiterate the guidelines set forth by ASPS in finding a board certified plastic surgeon.

When one is interested in pursuing cosmetic surgery, the first step is due diligence. One must make certain and double-check that their surgeon is board certified. 

Logging onto the ASPS website, individuals can be assured that their member surgeons practicing in the United States and Canada have met its comprehensive criteria.

Here are important and helpful guidelines to follow:

• They have graduated from an accredited medical school.
• They have successfully passed all written and oral examinations.
• Surgeons are board certified either by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or American Board of Plastic Surgery. In some rare instances, a board certified surgeon will have certifications in both countries.
• Doctors have finished a minimum of six years of surgical training after medical school graduation. 
• Doctors have completed at least three years of residence training specifically in the field of plastic surgery.
• Plastic surgeons have hospital privileges.
• Plastic surgeons execute operations in a state-licensed or accredited facility.
• ASPS member surgeons obeys to “Code of Ethics.”

And more….

While cosmetic surgery grows more popular, it’s incredibly important to rely on doctor referrals, online reference sites, and online patient referrals. One can never do enough homework when finding the best plastic surgeon.