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COSMETIC MEDICINE

One would hope incidences such as
this only happen in a foreign country.
But look no further than our own local
headlines to find similar cases in the U.S.
In the summer of 2018, a doctor in
Georgia made national headlines for
her intraoperative rap and dance videos
filmed while alleged unsuspecting pa-
tients were undergoing invasive medical
procedures. In my opinion, the videos
represent professional behavior that is
egregious, unethical, and careless. But
worse, still, are her patients’ outcomes.
In one representative case in February
2016, the self-described “nationally and
internationally known cosmetic sur-
geon” performed liposuction and an
open abdominoplasty on 54-year-old
woman. After nine-hours under what
was determined to be poorly monitored
office-based anesthesia, with unlicensed
and unsupervised care, the patient sus-
tained anesthetic and anoxic complica-
tions leading to a year’s worth of ICU
and LTAC admissions where she nearly
expired. In addition, she accrued millions of dollars in medical ex- of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) demonstrate a continued, steady rise in
penses and lost her ability to walk, feed herself, and breathe on her the number of cosmetic procedures performed annually over the
own. I urge you to examine the details of this tragedy in “Verdict last decade with more than a quarter million procedures performed
Magazine, The Journal of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.” in 2018 over 2017 alone. Of the 1.8 million surgical cosmetic pro-
In recent years, Florida has also become a hotbed of rogue cosmetic cedures performed in the U.S. in 2018, breast augmentation, lipo-
surgery by ill-qualified and often unlicensed physicians. And as suction, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, and tummy tuck were the
deaths and disfigurement have mounted, Florida lawmakers have most common. Far greater, though, were botulinum toxin and soft
finally begun to pass legislation to hopefully limit such practices and tissue filler injections, hair removal, and skin resurfacing procedures
to aid in transparency for patients. With society caught in the traps which accounted for the majority of the 15.9 million minimally in-
of social media and screen magic, all that glitters can appear to be vasive procedures performed in 2018. Now, more than ever, the so-
gold, tempting patients to seek care where they often shouldn’t. cial stigma of cosmetic surgery interventions is waning as
Since 2014, an annual survey by the American Academy of Facial affordability and accessibility increase.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) has consistently high- While some may argue the frivolity of such procedures, cosmetic
lighted an ever-growing increase in cosmetic procedures performed, surgery procedures can have profound impacts on patients’ lives.
particularly in the millennial, under-30 demographic. This is posited Restorative procedures like face, eyelid and body lifting have been
to be driven by the advent of the “selfie.” The same survey found shown to improve quality of life metrics, increase patient personal
procedure cost to be the primary driver for 10% of respondents. confidence in the workplace and social circles, and can even help
In response, the AAFPRS continues to stress that patients maintain promote healthy lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and smoking
safety as their primary goal and approach their search for competent cessation. Reconstruction of congenital defects can decrease social
surgeons based on skill, qualifications, and outcomes instead of isolation, minimize bullying, enhance earning potential, and pro-
cost. Similarly, annual survey data released by the American Society mote greater perceptions of self-worth, thereby elevating one’s con-
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