Cosmetic Surgeon’s Credentials Most Important Factor
High consumer demand for cosmetic surgery has sparked a dangerous trend that has the potential to end in tragedy. In some cases, including the one noted in our previous post, cosmetic surgery performed by inappropriately trained physicians who have no plastic surgery credentials has caused the needless death of a patient.
Like other medical specialties, plastic surgery (also called cosmetic surgery) is a highly specialized medical field with its own specific course of study, dedicated technology and specialized surgical techniques.
Board-certified Cleveland plastic surgeons are required by the American Board of Medical Specialties, a governing and standards-setting organization that operates under the auspices of the American Medical Association (AMA), to complete several years of additional training and medical residency dedicated to the field of plastic and cosmetic surgery.
What board-certified Cleveland cosmetic surgeons find so disturbing is the influx into their specialty of physicians and surgeons trained in other fields. According to an online article on USA Today, an increasing number of gynecologists, obstetricians, dermatologists, dental oral surgeons and other physicians with no specific training in plastic surgery have begun offering cosmetic surgery procedures such as tummy tucks, liposuction and Botox injections.
Even more disturbing is the trend to offer Botox and other skin filler treatments at beauty salons, spas and even home parties where procedures are performed by people with absolutely no medical training.
Critics claim that the trend is a blatant attempt to cash in on today’s desire to improve personal appearance. There is considerable concern within the plastic surgery community that some non-certified cosmetic surgery providers may be primarily interested in collecting lucrative fees and not in their patients’ health and welfare. Even when this is not true, non-board certified plastic surgeons lack the rigorous professional training to successfully handle problems during delicate cosmetic surgery procedures, often failing to adequately protect the patient’s health or achieve the desired results.