N.Y. Arrests of Fake Surgeons Highlight Need to Check Doctor's Credentials, American Society of Plastic Surgeons Says

7/23/2002

From: Theresa Hill of ASPS, 847-228-9900

CHICAGO, July 23 -- The arrests last week of two people allegedly posing as doctors in New York, clearly illustrates the need for potential plastic surgery patients to very carefully check their doctor's credentials, noted the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). New York investigators uncovered a number of victims who received cosmetic plastic surgery procedures from the two suspects that resulted in life-threatening infections.

"More than 7.5 million people chose to have cosmetic plastic surgery in 2001," said ASPS President Edward Luce, MD, Cleveland. "Last week's arrests are a perfect, but unfortunate example, of why patients interested in plastic surgery must be diligent in their research and selection of a surgeon."

As plastic surgeons certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the primary concern of all ASPS members is the health and safety of their patients. The ASPS offers the following tips to help potential plastic surgery patients select an ABPS-certified plastic surgeon.

-- Call the ASPS Physician Referral Service at 888-4-PLASTIC or visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org ASPS members are certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only one of 24 boards approved by The American Board of Medical Specialties that certifies physicians in plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body. To be ABPS board certified, a physician must: graduate from an accredited medical school; complete a combination of at least five years of general surgery and plastic surgery residency training; and pass comprehensive oral and written exams.

-- Seek a Complete Patient Evaluation When a person is considering plastic surgery, he or she should consult with an ABPS-certified plastic surgeon for a complete examination, full medical history, discussion of goals and determination of the most appropriate treatment.

-- Be Comfortable with the Surgeon During the consultation, potential patients should feel the surgeon: answered all questions thoroughly and clearly; asked for feedback on procedure recommendations; offered alternative treatments, when appropriate; welcomed questions about his or her professional qualifications, experience, costs and payment policies; articulated the risks and benefits of surgery; and left the final decision about the procedure to the patient.

-- Ask the Surgeon Are you certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery? Do you have hospital privileges to perform this surgery? If so, at which hospitals? (A patient can call the hospital to verify the information.) How many procedures of this type have you performed? Where and how will you perform my surgery? Is the surgical facility accredited? What are the risks involved with the procedure? How long will the recovery period be? What kind of help will I need during recovery? Will I need to take time off work? If so, how long? How much will the procedure cost?

ASPS, founded in 1931, is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world and the foremost authority on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS represents physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. For referrals to ABPS-certified plastic surgeons in your area and to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, call the ASPS at 888-4-PLASTIC (888-475-2784) or visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org.