More doctors are including lucrative cosmetic procedures among their services, but often lack the specialized qualifications required for optimal outcomes, according to a recent article in the New York Times. While there are no laws in the US against doctors practicing outside their specialities, the growing popularity of cosmetic surgery among otolaryngologists, gynecologists, and GPs has led to a rise in botched procedures, says the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
The Times article mentions Joan, a financial-services professional, who received a facelift and tummy tuck from a board-certified doctor in Beverly Hills. Unfortunately, she later discovered, her doctor was certified in otolaryngology: ear, nose, and throat. She received thick scars on her temples and a wavy abdomen that were later resolved by a licensed plastic surgeon.
“I had to use all my savings to get a real plastic surgeon to fix what he did to me. I have an M.B.A. I’m not stupid. But when the doctor has a nice clinic and all those diplomas and certifications on the wall, you think he knows what he’s doing.” ― Joan
Plastic surgeons have seen a surge in patients requesting revisionary surgery to reverse the damage caused by botched procedures, according to ASPS president Dr. Malcolm Z. Roth. Unfortunately, the issue of board certification is obscured under current laws in the US, as only Texas, California, Louisiana, and Florida require that doctors be specific about which board certifications they have in their advertising. In the other 46 states they may simply say that they are “board-certified.”
There is no legal requirement for doctors to report to any oversight authority that they are practicing beyond their specialty, and doctors performing cosmetic procedures aren’t required to report complications. Under these “Wild West” conditions, patients are advised to be wary of doctors who don’t have appropriate certifications, and to check the diplomas on the wall before committing to surgery.












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