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Patients should ask questions to determine cosmetic surgeon qualifications

Ambulatory Safety Monitor, January 26, 2006

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The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons are calling on patients considering cosmetic surgery to be wary of unlicensed personnel performing the procedures in non-clinical settings, according to a press release on the ASAPS Web site.

The societies joined together on the issue following recent cases of patients receiving BOTOX® and tissue fillers in their homes, shopping malls, and beauty salons.

"There are some misconceptions among patients about the true nature of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Non-surgical does not mean non-medical," said Mark Jewell, MD, president of the Aesthetic Society. "Patients deserve to know who is treating them, what their qualifications are, who the supervising physician is, and where the product is coming from. These are questions patients should ask."

The societies advise patients undergoing cosmetic surgery, including tissue filler injections, laser therapies, chemical peels and skin resurfacing, to ensure their surgeon is a properly credentialed and trained medical professional using only Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved products.

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