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Ethical Considerations for Board Certified Plastic Surgeons?

asked 1 year ago by Bethy_R in Birmingham, Al
Latest answer by Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Question viewed 270 times
Tags: 400-449cc, board certification, ethics, gummy bear implants, high profile, subglandular, transaxillary

After asking a question on this site I did visit a board certified plastic surgeon and after discussing my wishes, he refused because of "ethical considerations".

Why should a surgeon care how I want my breasts to look if its not dangerous or unnatural? How is a 400CC high profile round textured "gummi bear" implant placed subglandular through a transaxillary procedure unethical?

6 answers to Ethical Considerations for Board Certified Plastic Surgeons?

+1

Gummi Bear Implants

Hi Bethy, I am sorry that the doctor did not explain himself fully.  One can only guess what he was thinking now.  However, I can tell you what I'm thinking about your request.  True gummi bear implants (form stable) are all contoured and not round, so you wouldn't be able to get that part of what you are asking for regardless of what surgeon you go to.  Transaxillary access to either a sub muscular or subglandular pocket is a great technique for saline or... more
Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

drminniti.com

+2

Ethics may not be the issue here!

My colleagues' answers here are quite good; you would be wise to read them all. Here's what I have to add. Sometimes doctors have trouble telling a patient they don't think they can make them happy, for a multitude of reasons. I tell patients who come to see me with tales like yours about other doctors that sometimes what they were told is "doctor-speak" for "I don't know how to do that operation" or "I don't feel comfortable being told how or... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+2

Ethics in Plastic Surgery

A very important part of being a plastic surgeon is knowing when to say no. Plastic surgeons are not technicians fulfilling an order. Just because the surgeon has the technical ability to perform a procedure does not mean it is right for you. What you are requesting doesn't sound like a good idea for a number of reasons. Gummi bear implants are not available in a round shape in the US. They are tear drop shaped and require the creation of a very precise pocket during placement. This is... more
Anita Patel, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ethics in Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgeons who are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons(ASPS)  abide by a comprehensive Ethics bylaws that ensures a proper code of professional by its members.  It also ensures that your ASPS member surgeon will adhere to strict principles to provide you with honest and responsible care.   This is yet another reason why proper certification matters.  I am a bit baffled... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

Ethical Considerations

  Hi Bethy, I am sorry to hear you had such a negative experience from your consultations and it did not meet your expectations.  Don't be dismayed, I would get a second opinion.  It sounds to me like there may be more to this story than you have told.  What are the ethical considerations you refer to?
Todd B. Koch, MD

Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

www.toddbkochmd.com

+1

Ethical decision-making in plastic surgery

Without knowing more details it isn't possible to give a definitive answer, but there are a few general principles that may be helpful. What it comes down to is that plastic surgeons do not feel that it is ethical to proceed with a surgery that they do not believe is the best one for that particular patient. There are certainly many plastic surgeons around the world that put gummy bear implants in through the axillary incision and get good results, but that does not mean that it is... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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