The 10 Don'ts of Cosmetic Surgery

With doctors pouring into cosmetic medicine, some skipping the traditional and arduous residency and fellowship route, some practitioners don't have the talent and judgment that comes with that long experience pathway. And, patients get short-changed.

With interest in cosmetic procedures at an all-time high, prospective patients often fail to do the necessary homework to make the proper surgeon and location decision.

Donda West, the mother of hip-hop mogul Kanye West, died last week one day following a cosmetic procedure. While the exact cause of death has yet to be determined by the Coroner, questions have arisen regarding whether or not she underwent adequate doctor and lab exams to evaluate her medical suitability for surgery and the level of post-operative care she received. Understanding that cosmetic surgery is still surgery...

...Here are my personal 10 Don'ts of Cosmetic Surgery.

1. Don't use a cosmetic surgeon only because you saw him on television. Entertainment industry criteria for doctors' appearances are not the same as the classical medical profession's standards. For Hollywood, often - but not always - board certification, fellowship training, medical school affiliation, a high degree of specialization and reputation among other specialists are of little importance. Telegenicity, a big personality and entertainment industry connections may count more. So, carefully check out the TV doctor's Professional Bio and not his screen credits.


2. Don't ask the doctor to reproduce Brad Pitt's nose or Salma Hayek's eyelids. Your surgeon is not David Copperfield; he is not a magician. He does the best with what he has.


3. Don't make the doctor selection strictly on costs. Some surgeons can charge less because they do not provide a doctor-anesthesiologist or do not operate in a fully licensed or accredited facility. Or, the practice is a low-cost, high-volume production line offering little contact with the doctor. Beware false economy; top quality is rarely cheap.


4. Don't select a "Jack of All Trades, Master of None". The doctor who has a department store practice claiming to do "everything" from hair transplants, to calf implants - and everything in between - is rarely the most talented. Rather, look for a boutique practice: a superspecialist doctor who limits his practice to a few procedures. He'll be the master you want.


5. Don't forget to ask about anesthesia and the surgery facility. Safety first, always. You want a doctor-anesthesiologist or a nurse-anesthetist at your side for anything but a minor procedure. And, make sure the facility, whether office or outpatient surgery center has the medical equivalent of The Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval: licensure by the federal or state government and/or accreditation/certification by the organizations that accredit hospitals, surgery centers and office surgical facilities.


6. Don't be hustled into the operating room by an overly-aggressive staff. Some practices hired commissioned salespeople to fill their surgery schedule. Others won't even let you meet the doctor until you have signed up and paid some money. These are very risky places. Their interest is your wallet, not you.


7. Don't believe that every procedure is a "piece of cake" and that you will be "back to work in no-time". That's a salesman's one-liner and it's just not true for many cosmetic procedures. Certainly not for a five-hour face and neck lift or a four hour body liposuction and tummy-tuck. While these are not dangerous operations, adequate time must be given the body to heal. Generally no procedure or combination requires more than ten days to two weeks. But the "lunch-time facelift" is often an ad man's sales pitch surgery. Be realistic. There are no wise shortcuts.


8. Don't ever go into an operating room to please anyone else or if you are not positive about the undertaking. Cosmetic procedures are always elective. It's not as if your appendix is about to burst where time is critical. Take the time to examine your own motives. Is this what you want? Or, does a friend or loved one think it's a "good idea". Cosmetic surgery is no guarantee of job or social success. And, it won't shore up a shaky marriage or relationship. You must be comfortable with and confident in your decision. You don't want "buyer's remorse".


9. Don't have a cosmetic procedure by yourself. It is important to have a family member or friend with you for 24 hours after the procedure. With the more invasive procedures, it might be a good idea to stay at a professional recovery hideaway. In my practice, there are certain procedures which mandate sending my patients to a recovery hideaway.


10. Don't have cosmetic surgery without being examined by your internist or family physician. Make sure you are declared healthy and "low risk" before you schedule surgery. Remember this is surgery, not a salon visit.

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