What You Should Know About the Deaths of Two Cosmetic Surgery Patients

No Spin News looks at a recent  tragedy in Georgia.  Atlanta Fox 5  affiliate broke the news from Kennesaw, Georgia where it was first reported that a patient died after undergoing a liposuction procedure. On top of that, the same physician had another patient die only a few months prior. PSC looked into the matter and noticed Dodds, the surgeon who performed the surgeries is not a trained plastic surgeon, but rather an emergency room physician practicing cosmetic surgery.

William P. Adams, Jr. MD, a licensed, board certified plastic surgeon, along with Dr. Pat McGuire, also a licensed, board certified plastic surgeon, discuss why going to a physician who’s not fully trained and properly certified by recognized boards and societies could be a potentially fatal mistake.

 

If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, you’re probably like most people; you turn to the internet to research a qualified plastic surgeon. After viewing their credentials, they may appear to be qualified.  

But do you really know what credentials to look for?

Not only with the doctor performing the procedure, but with the facility where the doctor operates. Currently there are only 22 states that require licensing or accreditation of medical offices where surgery is performed.

What does this mean to consumers?

It means the majority of states, may not be doing enough to  protect you.

As it so happens, Dr. Dodds provided a long list of certifications on her website. The problem- Dodds is not accredited by either of the two main plastic surgery boards: (ASAPS)  The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and (ASPS) American Society of Plastic Surgeons.  Membership in these two societies require plastic surgeons to go through six to eight years of rigorous surgical training and take both written and oral board examinations to verify their competence in plastic surgery.  Member surgeons are also bound by a  code of ethics that is continuously monitored.

 

These logos help patients ensure their plastic surgeon has gone through the appropriate training and certification.  In addition to membership in one of the above societies, patients should make sure that the plastic surgeon is in expert in the procedure you’re looking to have performed.