Choose Carefully

Recent news articles have saddened and angered me. As a doctor, I am appalled that individuals who have no medical credentials are performing “back alley” procedures. These dangerous and illegal surgeries and injections are a sure fire way to infection, disfigurement or worse. I am specifically referring to this year’s exposure of a woman in the Bronx performing so called “butt lifts” in her apartment. I find the fact that Whalesca Castillo’s victims felt it necessary to go to such extremes to save money disturbing. In other cases, where people were practicing medicine without a license, there have been deaths involved.

I want to clear up a few things. People have died from silicone injected into the buttocks. Implants or preferably fat grafting, using fat from your own body, is the way to augment the buttocks. Illegal silicon injections are notorious for causing scarring, lumps that permanently disfigure the body, and migration of the silicone to other parts of the body, including the lungs. There have been deaths associated with silicone injections. These illegal so called “pump parties” are apparently happening all over the country. Many legitimate surgeons are left to try to repair the damage.

When choosing a physician to do these surgeries one must look at a number of criteria. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) is an organization that upholds a set of standards for training in cosmetic surgery. Consequently, when choosing a cosmetic surgeon it is wise to investigate if he or she is certified by the ABCS for best results. In my case, I am doubly board certified by the American Board of Maxillofacial Surgery and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

Beyond educational training and certification, a patient should research how often a cosmetic surgeon has performed a particular procedure. However, keep in mind that the number of times, and how recently, a procedure had been performed does not make up for lack of standardized monitoring or accredited formal education and licensure. A board certified cosmetic surgeon must have achieved a previously recognized board certification before beginning the certification process with the ABCS.

If you want a legal, safe augmentation, of any kind, please, I urge you to see a licensed cosmetic surgeon!

Feel free to call Melinda at the front desk for your consultation with me. 501-277-0707