Medical Malpractice

Not every plastic surgeon is responsible, which may be surprising considering that even though their trade is mostly cosmetic there are the same medical risks that would be associated with any procedure. Irresponsibility seems all the more rampant when large amounts of money are involved. Just take a look at any of the tabloids and you'll witness a sea of over inflated duck lips, hardened and bolted on breasts, and skin stretched so tightly it looks as if it might tear like moist tissue. It is important for a surgeon to know their limitations as well as their clients'.

So what are the traits of a responsible plastic surgeon and his practice? There are many signs that are indicative of a true professional, unwilling to compromise his ethos for a quick paycheck. Any professional worth his salt will require a thorough consultation or even two before agreeing to perform any procedure on a patient. Consults are often offered free of charge or have prices that are deductible from the cost of any procedures that are booked. A consultation is not only about discussing possibilities, but should include an assessment of a client's overall health, candidacy for the procedures desired, as well as their emotional state. A person under noticeable duress, who is demanding, has unrealistic expectations, or seems otherwise unstable, should not be operated on. Not only is the plastic surgeon taking a great risk with a potential unreasonable malpractice suit or other legal issues, but often times the procedure does not benefit the patient in any way.

The physical health of a person is also key to determining if they are suitable candidates to undergo a particular procedure. A good plastic surgeon will strictly enforce certain standards, such as requiring patients to quit smoking well in advanced of any booked procedure, or carefully checking their medical history to ensure that they are not at a great risk if they undergo anesthesia. They may even require patients to lose weight or improve their health before having a second consultation to reassess the possibility of a cosmetic procedure. If you find that the specialist you have chosen seems to be demanding too much from you, odds are good that he has your best interests in mind.

Some people are under the impression that you can never have enough of a good thing. A skilled plastic surgeon knows all too well that if a client wasn't satisfied with his first four nose jobs, the fifth isn't going to make that much of a difference. People who constantly seek physical improvement without having a noticeable need are big risks. Going under anesthesia and being operated on should never be taken lightly, so someone who is constantly in and out of different medical offices might have a serious mental problem that cannot be cured through any procedure. While there are plenty of patients who have legitimate reasons for several or even revision procedures, once a person begins to look unrecognizable from their former self a line has been crossed.