We are obviously not getting the entire story. Having performed thousands of liposuction procedures, I’m having a difficult time determining what liposuction complication would require 20 additional surgeries to correct. In order to be truly objective, we readers need more information. What if Ms. Henry had a devastating complication like a fleshing-eating infection called necrotizing fasciitis. This disease is terrible, reuires many operations to repair, and in most cases, it cannot be predicted nor avoided. While the incident may be true, the way in which it was reported often leads to inflammatory conclusions.

In the field of cosmetic surgery, patients need to become educated consumers; to ask the right questions about their doctor’s education, training, and experience in the specific procedure of interest. These 3 items play the biggest role in minimizing and preventing poor outcomes.

Cosmetic surgery is rapidly evolving field. There are few if any traditional residency training programs that provide adequate cosmetic surgery training and most physicians wishing to enter the field elect to engage in additional fellowship training. A specialist in facial reconstruction does not translate into a competent specialist in cosmetic face-lifting or nose reshaping.

So regardless of stated specialty, each prospective patient must know their surgeon’s education, training and experience in the specific procedure they wish to have. It is clear that education on the parts of the both the physician and patient, is the key to avoiding the disasters that have been reported here.