California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Donda West plastic surgery law this week. This law requires anyone getting plastic surgery to have medical clearance prior to undergoing the procedure. The law is named after Kanye West's mom, who died after having plastic surgery by a non-board certified plastic surgeon. Some believe that she should never have undergone the surgery in the first place due to pre-existing heart problems.
"Sometimes patients may think they are well enough for cosmetic surgery, but in reality are not," said Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter, one of the leading sponsors of the bill. "This bill will potentially save lives."
Patient safety should be the most important thing in the minds of all plastic surgeons. That's why the American Society of Plastic Surgeons enacted numerous requirements and initiatives revolving around their "Culture of Safety." All patients should remember to only choose a board-certified member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and have your surgery performed in an accredited center.
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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:
I think this is a great idea, but now it requires the physicians who are being asked to clear the patients to do a good job screening them. In a perfect world they all would, but in reality I'm afraid many unsuitable patients will slip through.
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked anyone would consider any but emergency surgery without a full work-up. People with health issues will now have the additional expense of international air fare to get their plastic surgery...
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