Washington DC Cosmetic Surgery Lawyer
Cosmetic surgery is very popular and can be defined as complex medical procedures that usually alter a person's outward appearance in some way. Typical procedures include breast augmentation or reduction, tummy tuck or even Botox. Cosmetic surgery, though usually taken lightly can actually carry substantial risk of complications if the surgeon is not properly trained or fails to follow the appropriate standards of medical care. Cosmetic Surgery Malpractice occurs when a patient undergoes a procedure and the end result is incorrect for a variety of reasons. Medical mistakes during plastic surgery can result in disfigurement, permanent physical injury or even death.
As cosmetic surgery becomes more and more popular, doctors, qualified and unqualified, are offering and performing procedures they may not be familiar with at attractive prices because the US allows doctors to perform cosmetic surgery no matter their expertise. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2006 there were over 11 million cosmetic plastic surgeries performed in the United States.
Some cosmetic surgeries lead to malpractice. For example, the FDA performed a study on the likelihood of rupture of silicone gel-filled breast implants and found that out of 687 implants studied, 378 implants had experienced some form of rupture. Another study showed that 64 percent of women were unable to successfully breast feed after receiving breast implants, compared with 7 percent of women that did not have breast implants. Additionally, in 2002, the American Gastroenterological Association found that almost 3 people out of every 200 die after weight loss surgery. There are also reports of malpractice from simple procedures like Botox or other collegan injections.
To protect yourself from cosmetic surgery, you should do thorough research before even scheduling a consultation. Once you are confident you have found 3 strong potential doctors, try to contact former patients and do research on internet sites. Visit the doctors and get a consultation. Go with your gut reaction. If you do not feel comfortable with the doctor, scratch him from the list permanently. Do not rush the process. If none of the doctors make you feel comfortable, scratch your list and start over. Also, do not forget to do research on the anesthesiologist because he is also a key component in your cosmetic recovery.
If you become or believe you are a victim of cosmetic malpractice, contact an attorney in your area immediately. Look for an attorney who specializes in cosmetic malpractice cases because they will be best suited to get you what you deserve. Be sure to make note of procedure dates, doctors, and specific complaints. Be sure to follow up and be extra careful in your after care, and when you meet with your attorney, tell him everything from start to finish.
