Cosmetic Surgery Malpractice

When it comes to cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery, beauty is a subjective issue. Sadly, most of the world views it as the perfect “nip and tuck”. Botox and other cosmetic procedures have skyrocketed in popularity. There is no more “aging gracefully”, it’s now how much money can I save up to stop sagging and get rid of any evidence of age. Even laugh lines are removed leaving us sterile and expressionless. We live in a society where individuals are constantly seeking approval based on perverse Hollywood standards perpetuated by youthfulness, bra cup size, and body mass index (BMI).

According to the Online Medical Dictionary, cosmetic surgery modifies or improves the appearance of a physical feature, irregularity, or defect. Cosmetic surgery may enhance a person's self-confidence and fix such problems as a cleft palate, 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 or a horror show when it does not. Worse yet, cosmetic/plastic surgery can also cause irreparable damage to the mind and body, adverse long-term side effects, and death. Cosmetic surgery that goes wrong may lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Cosmetic Surgery Risks

Most cosmetic/plastic surgery is not covered by insurance and damage accrued by such surgery is costly in more ways than one. Being generally unhappy with the outcome of cosmetic surgery is not enough to denote malpractice, however, surgical complications can pose serious risks. Hematomas, accumulation of fluids under the skin, skin breakdown, excessive bleeding requiring a transfusion, infections at the surgery site causing scarring, and adverse reactions to the anesthesia, are indeed causes for review. If you are obese, the risks are even greater. Heart attack, stroke, pneumonia, and blood clots during and after surgery pose serious risks during surgery.

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

Think logically and do not be taken in by Photoshopped before and after photos. Look for a qualified plastic surgeon with a serious amount of expertise in his specialization and who is also recognized and certified in his specialty by the American Board of Specialties. Inquire about the surgeon’s background and training and review the certifications on his wall. There is evidence to show that some surgeons have falsely framed documentation hanging on their walls.

For more involved and/or serious cosmetic surgeries requiring general anesthesia, find out what happens if there is a medical emergency during the surgery. Inquire whether or not the doctor has hospital privileges and standard procedures during the surgery. Search the Internet to determine if there are any complaints or recommendations.

If you or a loved one have had cosmetic surgery that endangered your life and/or livelihood, you may be entitled to financial compensation for damages. Call the Sweeney Law Firm and let our experts review the facts. You may have a medical malpractice case. If we decide to accept your case, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no fee for representation unless there is a settlement or fund recovery made on your behalf.