December 14, 2009 | Plastic Surgery
2 minute read
A new article from CNN provides 7 safety tips for those considering plastic or 
cosmetic surgery. We organized the guidelines into a short form so they’re easy to reference, but I definitely recommend reading the whole story.
Don’t…….
1. Don’t seek out unapproved cosmetic procedures.
If a board certified plastic surgeon or the FDA advises you to forgo a procedure, that’s advice you should heed. According to sources for CNN, Argentine beauty queen Solange Magnano, who died of complications from cosmetic surgery, requested (and was denied by one surgeon) silicone injections for a buttock augmentation – a procedure that is not approved here in the U.S. nor in Argentina
2. Don’t be careless or take the process lightly.
When you walk into a plastic surgeon’s office, it won’t feel like a hospital, but it’s definitely not a spa. Real surgeries are performed in an outpatient suite, with real risks.
Do….
3. Research the procedure of interest.
Though your cosmetic surgeon should be a trustworthy, knowledgeable authority, you still need to seek out more than one resource for information. Research will help you protect yourself and help you decide if elective cosmetic surgery is truly in line with your personal values.
4. Ask your plastic surgeon about board certification.
Find out what board has certified your surgeon and what standards must be met to receive that certification.
5. Inquire about the safety and certification of the facility.
If the surgery is done in an outpatient clinic, ask about accreditation of the facility. As Dr. Angelo Cuzalina recommends, go “to a clinic that’s been accredited by a group such as the Joint Commission or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.”
6. Find out if your surgeon has a prevention plan for complications such as DVT.
Deep vein thrombosis is a possible complication. Your plastic surgeon should take steps to minimize the risk and be prepared to see early signs of its occurrence.
7. Inquire about your surgeon’s experience with a specific procedure and his/her hospital privileges.
A good surgeon will have absolutely no qualms about sharing her experience and credentials.