If television shows like Bridalplasty are what inspired you to start researching plastic surgery, our Tuscaloosa liposuction staff seriously cautions you against letting your research stop there. Did you know that these shows (in which participants are striving to win a series of competitions for which cosmetic procedures are the prizes) are a transgression of the code of ethics laid out by the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS)? The organization states that a violation includes any event in which “The member participates in a charity raffle, fund raising event, contest or other promotion in which the prize is any procedure” (ASPS Code of Ethics, §2.I.K).

However, television isn’t the only detractor from ethical plastic surgery practices. Sometimes, the pursuit of a dollar is powerful enough for physicians who are not board certified plastic surgeons to market cosmetic surgery to naive prospects in search of a good bargain on a procedure. Often, that procedure is liposuction. This happened recently in Arizona, where three patients died during surgery at the clinic of Dr. Peter Normann. He was pronounced guilty of second-degree murder in the deaths of Ralph Gonzalez, 33, Leslie Ann Ray, 53, and of manslaughter for the death of Alicia Santizo Blanco, 41.

How can a doctor fail at performing liposuction? In Normann’s case, he had been an emergency room physician, and was only certified as an internist. He had never done a residency in plastic surgery, nor was he trained in anesthesiology. Instead, he had undergone six days of training in liposuction. Residencies for plastic surgery are generally two years long, after the candidate has undergone five years of general surgery training.

Investigators also found that his operating room lacked proper oxygen and monitoring equipment. Normann worked without anesthesiologists or nurses, relying on a massage therapist and a former restaurant worker with little or no training as medical technicians. When one of the now-deceased patients stopped breathing during liposuction, a paramedic that arrived on the scene claims to have seen the doctor inserting a breathing tube into the wrong part of the body – the esophagus, rather than the trachea. This is what deprived him of oxygen and ultimately killed him.

Our established Tuscaloosa liposuction surgeons, Dr. Oliver and Dr. Jack, are great examples of the kind of quality experienced, board certified plastic surgeons can offer. Each of them underwent a plastic surgery residency, which included in extensive training in liposuction. In fact, Dr. Jack scored in the top one percent of all plastic surgical residents in the nation on his in-service training examination during his chief-resident year, and Dr. Oliver is double board certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. These are the kinds of qualifications you should be looking for when selecting a plastic surgeon.

For information on becoming a Tuscaloosa liposuction patient, please contact Plastic Surgery Specialists today. Either of our surgeons will be glad to answer your questions during an initial consultation.

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For various reasons, men and women seek cosmetic plastic surgeons who are outside of the United States for a face, breast, or body enhancing procedure. One of the main reasons for doing so is the cost of the procedure; however, selecting a surgeon solely based on price can lead to unpleasant and/or unsafe circumstances. Not long ago, a Chula Vista resident died after her liposuction procedure in Tijuana, Mexico. The surgeon is said to claim certain memberships and society affiliations, yet no confirmation has been made.

In Beverly Hills, cosmetic plastic surgery professional Stuart A. Linder, M.D., F.A.C.S. has the education, training, and experience to provide patients with a safe and successful surgery. Dr. Linder performs face, breasts, and body enhancing procedures, while keeping the patient’s well-being in mind. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). As a part of these prestigious associations, Dr. Linder must adhere to standards and guidelines in order to ensure the patient’s safety.

To learn more about Dr. Linder and his experience in plastic surgery procedures, including liposuction surgery, you may browse his website. An initial consultation may also be of great benefit to further discuss your options.

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Whether you blame it on the “young and invincible” mentality or the Gen-Z of the digital life, it’s clear that Gen-Y has a real issue with permanence. Among the young, rich and famous, no one understands this better than Heidi Montag, who recently came to the stark realization that when it comes to plastic surgery, there’s no undo button.

After undergoing dozens of cosmetic procedures—including breast augmentation, a brow lift, a nose job, ear surgery, a chin reduction, liposuction, buttock augmentation, fat injections and Botox—rumors are swirling that Montag’s brief love affair with cosmetic surgery has come to an end. Now, reports say that Montag regrets the amount of work she’s had done and wishes she looked like she used to.

While some non-invasive cosmetic procedures—such as Botox and chemical peels—are temporary by nature, most plastic surgery is fundamentally irreversible. With the exception of implants, which can be removed, surgical procedures permanently alter the shape of your body. As such, “reversing” the operation is impossible. In fact, the only effective solution is quite the opposite—you would have to undergo further surgery that would attempt to approximate your former appearance. This is potentially problematic. The epic saga of the late Michael Jackson’s ever-changing nose proves a cautionary tale against swallowing the spider to catch the fly via repeated corrective cosmetic surgeries.

It may be too late for Montag, but at the very least, she’s taught an important lesson to those considering plastic surgery. In some areas where cosmetic work is seeing a surge in popularity, such as Riverside County, liposuction, facelifts and other irreversible surgical procedures feel like the norm.   Montag’s change of heart allegedly stems from marital strife—but social pressure, career moves and other external shifts can also lead to reconsideration of plastic surgery. Many Newport Beach breast augmentation patients may be able to attest to this.

While plastic surgery doesn’t typically end in regret, those who are considering having permanent changes done to their body should always make sure they are doing it for the right reasons. They should also consider the long-term impacts on their social life and professional careers.

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In common parlance, the terms “cosmetic surgery” and “plastic surgery” are used interchangeably. But when it comes to certifications, the differences between a board-certified plastic surgeon and a doctor with credentials from an organization bearing the words “cosmetic surgery” or “cosmetic surgeon” are vast and critical.

Board certified plastic surgeons are members of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is part of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ABMS is the gold standard for all medical fields. When you visit a board certified cardiologist, pediatrician or neurosurgeon, this is the board that they are referring to. Nearly a decade of training and experience specific to plastic surgery in addition to rigorous peer review, screening, and ongoing maintenance of credentials are required to be a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. San Diego plastic surgeon, Dr. Stuart Kincaid, for example, is a certified plastic surgeon because he completed a three-year plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center in addition to a surgery residency, surgery research fellowship, and other ABPS requirements.

On the other hand, acceptance into similarly-named, yet fundamentally inequitable “cosmetic surgery” boards may require only a weekend course in liposuction, breast augmentation or face lifts. Doctors who seek membership in such associations often have ABMS certification in unrelated fields, such as radiology, internal medicine, or preventative medicine, and use credentials from organizations such as the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) to “cross over.” Boards like these are not recognized by the ABMS and members are not held to the same rigorous standards.

Surgery Risks

The risks of visiting an under qualified cosmetic surgeon were most tragically illustrated by the case of Lourdes Trinidad, a California woman who visited a doctor in Tijuana who claimed he was a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). After receiving a liposuction operation – a procedure that has an excellent safety track record when performed by qualified plastic surgeons – Trinidad died from post-surgery complications. While fatal incidents like these are rare, situations where patients are unsatisfied with their results after visiting an under-qualified cosmetic surgeon rather than a board certified plastic surgeon are all too common.

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Patients who undergo any type of surgical procedure are strongly urged to research their surgeon, the procedure itself, and the surgical center and staff. The better informed an individual is prior to surgery, the greater chance of reducing risks and/or complications. These factors hold true especially for those who opt for a cosmetic plastic surgery. Individuals who choose to enhance their face, breasts, and/or body are strongly encouraged to be educated in all aspects of their procedure.

Recently, a lawsuit was filed against a Lifestyle Lift’s Boston area office claiming that a patient died shortly after the physicians began a cosmetic procedure. Furthermore, there are claims that there was no anesthesiologist present and that the patient was not hooked up to any continuous-monitoring equipment. The women suffered a seizure, her blood pressure and oxygen levels fell, and was later declared brain dead. This unfortunate event shows the importance of visiting a qualified plastic surgeon who has the experience and training to properly perform the surgery at hand. Those who decide to visit a clinic simply based on cost must still consider their own health before committing to surgery; unknown allergies or negative reactions must be monitored by a trained professional.

When asked for his opinion on the matter, Plano face lift surgeon Robert D. Wilcox, M.D. notes that there are numerous red flags in these “assembly line” type procedures that should not have been ignored. He notes that these facilities market a quick and cost effective procedure, not the qualifications or reputation of a particular doctor. Dr. Wilcox urges patients to seek a surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), as well as a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). In addition, a qualified anesthetist or anesthesiologist should be present throughout the entire procedure in order to monitor the patient and help prevent complications.

Dr. Wilcox tells his own patients that elective surgery is still a major procedure and corners should not be cut. Patients should want to have everything possible done for them when undergoing cosmetic plastic surgery. Finding a surgeon who has practiced for many years and holds a positive reputation is the key to achieving a high quality surgical experience.

Those who wish to learn more regarding face lift surgery in Dallas, TX and the importance of research prior to undergoing a cosmetic procedure may contact Dr. Wilcox at (972) 620-1700.

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