AACS Urges Caution When Choosing A Cosmetic Surgeon

Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 14 Nov 2007 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) urges patients to use caution when choosing a cosmetic surgeon. With the recent news of the death of rapper Kanye West's mother, Donda, there is increased concern over cosmetic surgery and ensuring your safety.

"There are risks involved with any surgery, just as there are with cosmetic procedure, but patients can help to protect themselves from unnecessary risks by asking simple questions about credentialing, experience and education," said AACS President, Edward B. Lack, MD, of Chicago.

The AACS remind patients to ask the following question when considering surgery:

What is the surgeon's experience?

Ask about the surgeon's medical education and training specific to cosmetic surgery and the procedure which you are considering. How many procedures of this kind has the doctor done and how often does he or she perform them?

Ask for referrals from friends

Keep in mind that physicians specialize in different areas of cosmetic surgery. Most are not experts in every area. The surgeon who did a fantastic facelift on a friend may not be the most experienced to perform breast augmentation.

Before-and-after photographs

Before and after photographs can give you some indication of a surgeon's ability, although you must realize that they cannot guarantee the result you will achieve. Each patient is different and the surgeon can help determine what kind of results you should expect.

Ask where your surgery will be performed

Cosmetic surgery is performed in various facilities such as hospitals, surgical centers and office settings. An accredited surgical facility must meet certain minimum standards to obtain and maintain its accreditation. Facilities may be accredited by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC) or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

To learn more tips and information about choosing a cosmetic surgeon, and to search for cosmetic surgeons in your area, visit the Academy's patient education site: http://www.bewiseaboutbeauty.org.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is a professional medical society whose members are dedicated to patient safety and physician education in cosmetic surgery. Most members of the AACS are dermatologic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, general surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, obstetrics/gynecology surgeons, or ocular plastic surgeons -- all of whom specialize in cosmetic surgery. AACS is an organization that represents all cosmetic surgeons in the American Medical Association through its seat in the AMA House of Delegates.

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
http://www.bewiseaboutbeauty.org

• Additional
• References
• Citations