No One Can Guarantee Plastic Surgery Safety, But...

Posted Thursday, February 14, 2008 to PROFILES > Plastic Surgery

Posted by cathy

Months after Donda West's death following plastic surgery, people are still talking about it in the media.  I guess it's understandable.  On one hand, plastic surgery is more accepted and more popular than ever, due in part to media attention.  When someone in the limelight dies after plastic surgery, it's no surprise a media frenzy would ensue.

Although most of us will never know all the details surrounding Ms. West's death, I believe it's widely accepted now that she had some additional risks that perhaps should have prevented her from having elective surgery in the first place.  There has also been talk about the possibility that she did not follow her doctors' advice. 

In any case, plastic surgery is normally quite safe for most people.  But if you're considering going under the knife, how can you ensure you have a good experience?  Perhaps the single most important thing you can do is to choose your physician wisely.   Your prospective plastic surgeon's Web site is a good place to start that process.

First, make sure their site indicates that they're certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  The ABPS has a very strict set of requirements surgeons must meet, and it's the only group sanctioned by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify plastic surgeons as capable of performing procedures of the face, breast and body.

Next, start browsing the rest of the Web site with a critical eye.  See if the information they give on procedures is thoughtful and helpful.  Make sure they have a photo gallery to share results of their work, and look to see that the surgical outcomes seem tailored to each individual rather than performed with a "one size fits all" approach.

Beyond these obvious steps, you can look for clues that indicate your target surgeon is a professional dedicated to expanding their own horizons and advancing their field.  For example, take a look at the site of a surgeon I work with, Dr. Thomas McNemar, who performs San Ramon cosmetic surgery.  In addition to conveying the basics, you can see right away that Dr. McNemar has written his own book on breast augmentation and body contouring.  In fact, you can download a chapter free of charge.

Looking deeper into his site, you can see that in addition to the busy practices Dr. McNemar maintains in Tracy and San Ramon, the Modesto plastic surgeon also volunteers his time to teach young doctors at Stanford University. 

As a plastic surgery writer, one detail that stands out to me about Dr. McNemar's plastic surgery practice in San Ramon is the emphasis he places on post-bariatric procedures.  Whether you're looking for plastic surgery after weight loss or not, you should know that post-bariatric plastic surgery is complicated.  It takes skill and dedication to do it right, and to me it's a good sign that the surgeon has a section of his Web site devoted to this area.  If he can handle the special needs of this patient community, I'd be inclined to think he could do a good job for me while safeguarding my health.

Finally, you can take a look at the patient testimonials on a plastic surgeon's site.  Sure, almost every doctor gets a note from time to time.  But not all spend the time and energy to put them on the Web.  And you might be surprised how much these little snippets tell you!

Your safety will be in the hands of your plastic surgeon, no doubt, but it's your responsibility as well.  Be a critical Web site reviewer.  It's a good place to start.

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