Buyer Beware! An Unqualified Surgeon Is a Kick In The Teeth!

Sadly, this story is a predictable outcome of a surgical procedure being performed by an un-qualified individual, most likely in an un-licensed setting. Unfortunately, the patient in this case did not do her basic homework to check the credentials of the "surgeon", and may have been lured in by a surgical fee that was "too good to be true".

Just as you wouldn't board an airplane piloted by a bus driver, you shouldn't have any type of surgery without knowing the qualifications of your doctor. Nationally-recognized certifying organizations such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), and state medical boards, commonly have websites where patients can verify the board certification status of their physicians. Patients should also ask whether the doctor has privileges to perform the same operation in a local hospital - this is a good indicator as to the legitimacy of the doctor's training and board certification status.

Even the best Plastic Surgeon is not someone I would want performing Neurosurgery on me. Nor is the world's greatest Oral Surgeon likely to be a good breast surgeon, so why take a chance? Do your homework, and avoid the nasty kick in the teeth of a predictably bad result (or worse!) by an unqualified surgeon!

In America, there are many competing forces that act to influence which laws are passed: lobbyists from organizations, restraint of trade laws, etc. The lawmakers will simply not protect you from having any surgery done by any doctor or dentist, no matter how minimal their qualifications. By the time the Medical Board and malpractice attorneys have caught up with unqualified doctors, these doctors have often disfigured hundreds of patients over many years. I have seen the work of several such doctors, and they are often very slick advertisers. The one constant the patients have noted is that they had a bad feeling about the surgery but went ahead with it anyway.

Somebody who would go to an oral surgeon for a breast reduction surgery has not done their basic homework: to find a board certified plastic surgeon to do their work. Sadly, they have suffered the consequences.

As a comsumer, you can empower yourself by simply doing a little research on your doctor before going to the appointment. Are they board certified in plastic surgery? Go on the American Board of Plastic Surgery website, it only takes a second. Do they have hospital credentials? Call the hospital and confirm, it only takes a second. It is a good idea to meet with several surgeons before making your decision. Look at before and after pictures. Read the doctor's CV (resume). Where did he go to school? Where did he do his residency? Did his staff try to explain the options to you or hard sell you a surgery? The right doctor will be surprisingly easy to choose. If you have really done your homework and there are several fine surgeons to choose from, consider yourself lucky to have that problem, rather than to be in the dentist's office preop for a breast reduction.

If in doubt, do not proceed. As you can see from this post and others, this may be the most important decision of your life.

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