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Why Are Oral Surgeons Allowed to Do Breast Reduction Surgery?

In today's Seattle PI there is a story about a woman who is suing an oral surgeon for a botched breast reduction ("Oral Surgeon faces new suit"). The doctor also has a record of a cosmetic facial procedure that led to a death. How does this happen in the first place? The story says the doctor was not trained in plastic surgery. Why isn't this against the law, or is it?

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Consumers need to look for ABMS board certification

Unfortunately there is no law in any state that restricts the scope of practice strictly to a physician's board certification. While there are some "pedigree" laws that require physicians disclose board certification, unfortunately few consumers understand or recognize the authenticity of board certification in the 28 member boards that are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialities (ABMS) and the countless self-proclaimed and unrecognized board that provide... more

Robert Singer, MD

La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Sad but true- look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

As the popularity of plastic surgery has increased over the past several years, more and more providers are trying to get involved in the specialty of plastic surgery. These providers can range from spa personnel with no medical training, to physicians trained in non-plastic surgical specialties. Unfortunately, any licensed physician can call themselves a plastic surgeon, regardless of their lack of training in the field of plastic surgery. Certainly, it is in the patient's best interest... more

Adam David Lowenstein, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

We (Plastic Surgeons) ask the same question....

Confidence and trust are the two main requirements in choosing the right plastic surgeon. However, there is one very important factor that often gets missed when emotions are running high and the goal seems so close within reach! Many states do not have laws that protect the consumers from false or misleading advertising when it comes to choosing a plastic surgeon. Washington is one of those states. Within the medical community it is a well know fact that anyone with an active medical... more

Marshall T. Partington MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

It is an outrage

There should be laws against doctors practicing surgery beyond their scope of training. An oral surgeon has no formal training in plastic surgery of the breast. As such, it is only ego and hubris that allows someone to think they can do this operation. Foolishly and naively, they are taking on a very challenging operation, one which has been a leading cause of lawsuits even against doctors properly trained in performing it. Unfortunately, the law does not protect the public against these... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

One would think that there would be laws against this!

This is a good question and there really is no answer. Unfortunately, almost anyone can set up shop and unknowing patients fall victim to unscrupulous doctors (and non doctors). My best advice to you is to throughly research your doctors prior to seeing them. Go to the internet, message boards, talk to friend, etc. Also, look at your doctor's credentials. Do they have a board certification? Are they on the staff of a reputable hospital? Have they had any sanctions against them? If... more

David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Look for a doctor trained by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

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... more

Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Don't ever let an oral surgeons do your breast reduction!!

In America, doctors and dentists can do anything that a patient will let them. Unfortunately the result is often that patients receive surgery from doctors or other people that have no business doing these procedures. In the United States, it is up to the patient to do their homework and pick a qualified doctor. Here in Miami, we have unfortunately seen many patients who have suffered very serious competitions or even lost a breast because they received surgery from a physician... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Good question, but not a good answer.

State license boards do not limit procedures to a license. This means that anyone can call themselves a "Cosmetic Surgeon", even an oral surgeon or dentist. You need to be educated as a consumer. You need to seek out the most qualified doctor to take care of you specific needs. You wouldn't have a neurosurgeon do your breast augmentation, just like you would not have your plastic surgeon do your brain surgery. I may have done brain surgery during my residency, but that... more

David A. Dreyfuss, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

It is a shame!

The laws that regulate medicine in this country do not make much sense sometimes. Further they are made to satisfy a lobbyist with a big checkbook, not the patient. I agree with everything the questioner poses. A doctor should be trained and certified in the specialty that trains physicians to perform a certain procedure. Now there is certainly an overlap between specialities, for example - both plastic surgeons and ENT physicians are trained to perform rhinoplasties. But There is no reason... more

Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast Reduction "Surgeons"?

Thank you for the question. This is a question I wonder about also; it would seem like the state medical boards should protect the “consumer” better. Unfortunately, the reality is that they don't and it is left up to the patient to do their due diligence prior to undergoing surgery. Hopefully, if enough patients to speak up, positive changes will occur. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Oral surgeon and breast reduction

Unfortunately there some of these incidents every year. Our society has tried over the years to educate the public as well as lawmakers to prevent non-qualified surgeons/physicians from performing procedures they were not trained in. The best thing to do is ask important questions such as: "Are you board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?" "Do you have plastic surgery privileges at a locally well respected hospital?" Hopefully, some day there will be a... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

The laws governing medical practice vary from state to state!

The issue that you bring up is known as scope of practice. Basically the issue boils down to who is appropriately trained to perform which invasive procedures. Some states are broad in their definition enabling any physician to be licensed to practice medicine and surgery. As a consumer, I would recommend that you use Core physicians as a first line approach to aesthetic interventions (board-certified plastics surgeons/otolaryngologists/facial plastic surgeons/... more

Manish H. Shah, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

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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... more

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

It's unfortunately a common practice

I don't think I can add much to what has already been said, other than to say it happens and it can be very difficult for patients to know the exact training and qualifications of their surgeon. In general, surgeons who are properly trained with the proper credentials are more than happy to share them with you, as are their respective boards or medical organizations. Bottom line: take the time to check out their backgrounds before letting them operate on you.