Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Malpractice

Malpractice Lawsuit

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If only that cliché applied to the masses. Why is it that we live in a society where women (predominantly) are constantly seeking approval based on some perverse Hollywood standards perpetuated by youthfulness, bra cup size, and body mass index?

According to the American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary, cosmetic surgery modifies or improves the appearance of a physical feature, irregularity, or defect. Cosmetic surgery, also called plastic surgery, may enhance a person's self confidence and fix a harelip, oversized ears, and deviated septum. Cosmetic surgery has been known to undo the facial trauma caused by car accidents and dog bites.

Cosmetic surgery can be a beautiful thing when it works and a little shop of horrors when it doesn't.

Worse --cosmetic surgery can also cause irreparable damage to the mind and body, adverse long-term side effects, and death. Cosmetic surgery gone wrong may lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Cosmetic surgery risks

Aside from the costs not covered by health insurance and the longer than anticipated time to heal, cosmetic surgery is not without possible risks. Being unhappy with results is not a cause for medical malpractice but serious surgical complications may include hematomas which require further surgery, accumulation of fluids beneath the incision which need medical attention, skin breakdown, excessive bleeding requiring a blood transfusion, infection at the site requiring more surgery and creating more scarring, adverse reaction to general anesthesia; plus depending on your health condition or if you are obese – increased risk for stroke, heart attack, pneumonia, and blood clots during and after surgery.

Some plastic surgeons may only focus on the sale or end results perpetuated by their glossy full page advertisements. Find a plastic surgeon who does straight talk by informing you of the potential risks.

Think intelligently and don't be fooled by fake testimonials or dramatic before and after photos. Look for a qualified plastic surgeon with mega experience in his specialization and recognized and certified in his specialty by the American Board of Specialties. Research the framed documents in his office. It's sad but true that some doctors have bogus framed documentation hanging on their walls.

For more involved cosmetic surgeries requiring general anesthesia, find out what happens if there is a medical emergency during your surgery and whether or not the doctor has hospital privileges. Search the Web to determine if there are any complaints or horror stories.

In the event that you are reading this article after a cosmetic surgery that endangered your life and/or livelihood, please consider contacting a law firm for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Source: Mayo Clinic - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/SN00006

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