Your Plastic Surgeon - What You Should Know

 In spite of the media attention given to plastic surgery nightmares, many patients are still not doing their homework before selecting a cosmetic surgeon.  Unfortunately, because performing cosmetic procedures is a lucrative area of practice, many unqualified and poorly trained physicians are attracting patients who want to improve their appearance.  The results produced by these surgeons are often unappealing and occasionally even life-threatening.  To lessen the risk of a bad outcome a patient seeking plastic surgery should do at least some research into the practice history and qualifications of their surgeon.

When selecting a surgeon you should first ensure they are licensed to practice medicine in California and have at least a few years in practice under their belt.  You can do this by simply researching the doctor's name on the California Medical Board website.   This will also let you know if the doctor has a history of discipline by the Board and whether they have any reportable verdicts/settlements.  Since not every lawsuit or settlement is disclosed on the Medical Board's website, you should also look to the Orange County Superior Court's website to see if the doctor has a substantial history of lawsuits filed against them for malpractice.   One or two lawsuits filed in the course of a long career may not be a concern.  However, wouldn't you want to know if your doctor had ten lawsuits filed against them in the last five years?  Of course you would.  Finally, it is almost always a good idea to go to a plastic surgeon who has completed at least the minimum requirements to be board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery.   While board certification is no guarantee the doctor will comply with the standard of care in any particular case, it may bring some level of assurance to the patient that the doctor is competent.

The list above is certainly not an exhaustive one in terms of best ensuring you select a good plastic surgeon.  You can also speak to the surgeon directly about their level of experience with a particular procedure.  Also, a good number of surgeons, if not the majority, will have photo galleries of their work for you to review either in their office or online.  With all of the resources available, finding a competent doctor is much easier now than it was 15 years ago.  Despite this, victims of medical malpractice often learn for the first time their doctor was unqualified only after their lives have been turned upside down.

Compensation for victims of medical malpractice committed by plastic and cosmetic surgeons should be an important concern for all Californians.  When a physician negligently harms a patient, they should be held accountable.  An Orange County medical malpractice attorney with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has over 20 years of experience handling personal injury and medical negligence cases, including just this type.   He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a loved one been the victim of plastic surgery malpractice?

This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.