Plastic Surgeon? Cosmetic Surgeon? Phony Doc?

Recently there have been several articles detailing bad events that have occurred at the hands of people who aren't board-certified plastic surgeons. Here are a sampling:

1. A family practice physician who considers himself a specialist in cosmetic surgery and advertises as a plastic surgeon was recently reprimanded by the State Board of Medicine for prescription fraud. He wrote prescriptions for patients and family members, using them to obtain drugs "for his own personal and unauthorized use." Click here for the story.

2. A Bronx mother dies after undergoing silicone injections by a "non-medical, unlicensed person." Click here for story.

3. A Head and Neck surgeon is accused of performing liposuction without a patient's consent. She had planned on having a tummy tuck only, but accuses him of performing a facelift and liposuction too. Click here for story.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons holds its members to strict ethical guidelines which many other "cosmetic"-type societies do not. It's not surprising, then, that most of the crazy plastic surgery-related news comes from physicians who are not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Here are two well-written articles by laypeople who focus on the difference between a "Plastic surgeon" and "Cosmetic surgeon."

1. What's the Difference Between a Plastic Surgeon and Cosmetic Surgeon?
2. Cosmetic Surgery Advice-- Consider the Source.

On my website I've written "How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon." Click here for it.

It's not enough for your "cosmetic surgeon" to have just stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

Thanks for reading.

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.: