the following article was written by John Hobbs, Editor, IN Magazine Los Angeles
You wouldn’t entrust your coif to a stylist simply because he’s running a $9.99 special—at least if he gives you a tragic cut, it’ll grow out in a month—so why is it that so many of us are willing to throw all caution to the wind and go bargain-hunting when it comes to finding a cosmetic surgeon?
“A lot of times people think all doctors are created equal, that adding an MD to a name creates an egalitarian sort of stature, but it’s absolutely not true,” explains Dr. Harvey Abrams of Wilshire Aesthetics. “A lot of the doctors these days who do cosmetic surgery are not qualified dermatologists or plastic surgeons. They are from another field and, because of decreasing insurance reimbursements or other kinds of difficulties which can impact a physician’s ability to earn a living, they turn to cosmetic procedures in order to augment their incomes.”
While many might assume the government oversees the types of procedures a physician performs, it’s simply not true. If a doctor works in a hospital, it is up to hospital management to decide which procedures or surgeries the physician can do. But if a doctor works outside of a hospital—as is the case with private-practice physicians—there are no legal limits put upon him or her. Without this oversight, an OB/GYN with very little experience can suddenly begin performing breast implants or tummy tucks—with very little training. And what’s more, a physician can say he is “board certified” in an ad, which may be true, but he may not be board certified in the procedure you are seeking.
“There’s a physician who has advertised in all the papers in Los Angeles—from the gay papers to the Los Angeles Times—who’s a radiologist by trade. He has beautiful ads and a beautiful website, but he never went through the rigorous training that physicians who are plastic surgeons and dermatologists go through. He took a weekend course and is permitted by the state to practice as a cosmetic surgeon,” explains Abrams.
So while it may be easy to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to hairstylists—no really, can I see a resumé, portfolio and three professional references, please?—it can be a daunting task finding a qualified physician to smooth out that bump on your nose or recontour your pudgy waist. “During the initial consultation, make sure you find out about their experience: How many times have they done a particular procedure, how long have they been doing it and how many complications have they encountered?” advises Abrams.
A little research can go a long way when it comes to cosmetic procedures—especially in light of the tragedy that struck last November when rapper Kanye West’s mother, Donda West, died suddenly after a tummy tuck and breast reduction. According to ABC News, 200 people die every year from plastic surgery complications.
“When high-publicity events like what happened to Donda West occur, our business actually increases because most people are less cavalier with whom they chose to do their surgery. They take the necessary steps to really make sure the physician they pick is board certified, that it’s a reputable office and that the office has all the right things—from staff to O.R. certification,” explains Abrams.
As for the “stack ‘em deep sell ‘em cheap” ads promoting various plastic surgery procedures, Abrams suggests simply avoiding them altogether. “There’s a reason why they’re so cheap,” he says.
published April 2008
