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The popularity of plastic surgery has experienced tremendous growth in the last several years. There are many reasons why the field has enjoyed such success, including the great number of aging baby boomers searching for a way to restore their youthful appearances, the celebrity-obsessed culture in which we live, the technological advances made in the medical field, and the media spotlight that has helped propel widespread acceptance of plastic surgery. In 2004, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nearly 11.9 million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures were performed, but with the benefits also come many negatives. As a growing acceptance of (coupled with the ever increasing demand for) plastic surgery, continues, plastic surgery malpractice is also occurring.
Plastic surgery malpractice is the direct result of a booming field and increased demand that people are trying to cash in on. Because plastic surgery is considered such a specialized area of medicine, doctors who have not undergone the rigorous training and certification necessary are claiming they are able to perform plastic surgery procedures in their offices, clinics and day spas. Although the media has helped expose a greater number of Americans to the exciting possibilities of plastic surgery, the instances of plastic surgery malpractice are not as well-known, and unsuspecting consumers are consulting with surgeons who may not have the appropriate training and credentials to safely perform the procedures.
Even though advances in the medical field have made the possibility of plastic surgery, when performed by reputable and qualified doctors, accessible to a greater number of consumers, all of the procedures still carry risks. Plastic surgery malpractice is unique because the majority of patients are voluntarily going under the knife for aesthetic reasons. The instances of plastic surgery malpractice, as a result, involve aesthetically undesirable results, as well as serious medical conditions.
During surgical procedures, the patients are exposed to the risks of anesthesia, as well as any obstacles that can arise during the surgery and recovery process. Should problems arise, an untrained surgeon may not have the medical equipment or training necessary to react appropriately to the surgical problems. Plastic surgery can be, and often is, performed with pleasing results, but there are instances where severe plastic surgery malpractice occurs, putting the patient at risk for death and other serious events.
There are ways to protect against instances of plastic surgery malpractice. There will always be risks associated with all procedures, but the more a potential candidate educates him or herself about the field, the better equipped s/he is to asking informed questions that can indicate if the surgeon is qualified to perform the procedure(s) and reduce the risks of plastic surgery malpractice. Financial constraints can certainly be a deciding factor in many decisions, but a greatly discounted procedure may be an indicator that the surgeon is not taking the necessary precautions to protect against instances of plastic surgery malpractice.
Asking the surgeon what his/her qualifications and licenses are, including any certifications is a good start for any potential candidate in eliminating risks of plastic surgery malpractice. Many patients place trust in self-proclaimed medical professionals because they are unaware of what is involved with the procedure. No matter how minor or major the procedure is, all potential candidates are advised to become as educated as possible in order to be smart consumers and avoid becoming plastic surgery malpractice victims.
To discover your rights and options in a Florida plastic surgery malpractice lawsuit, please contact us to speak with a qualified and experienced attorney.
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