Avoid Discount Cosmetic Surgery

With all types of cosmetic surgery procedures becoming increasingly popular, many patients are tempted to shop for their procedures based on price alone.  Unfortunately, the results can often be disastrous.  A recent USA Today article focused on the risks involved for patients who use high volume “discount” cosmetic surgery clinics.

According to the article, these clinics advertise heavily on television using questionable claims about the low risk, dramatic results, and fast recovery times for their procedures.  They attract patients with discount pricing and then use high pressure sales techniques to sign up new patients. The article noted that some of these centers have much higher than normal surgical death rates and included several examples of patients who experienced severe complications after their procedure.

While plastic surgical procedures have become increasingly common, they are still medical surgical procedures any you should choose your doctor based on more than just low price and advertising.  You should make sure that your plastic surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery who takes their time to meet with you and answer your questions about the procedure.

There are a few warning signs to look out for to avoid these assembly line style cosmetic surgery centers.  Often the procedures are performed in non-accredited facilities that may not have the necessary safety measures and lack top quality equipment and sterilization procedures.  In some cases, the doctors are not board certified plastic surgeons.  Instead, they are doctors who have received some training in cosmetic surgery, but nothing like the training a board certified plastic surgeon undergoes.  The quoted price will be much lower than other quotes the patient is often pressured to have the surgery quickly, often without seeing the plastic surgeon who will be performing the procedure in advance.

The bottom line is don’t compromise your health and safety by choosing a plastic surgeon based on price alone.  You want an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with a reputation for excellence.