Unlicensed Surgeons

[MSJ108]

Apparently, a GP can take a 'Week-end crash course' in Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery and he/she can call themselves a Plastic Surgeon.

Is there any truth to this?

GB

wtf?! 

[leafhead]

I had actually walked into TCC (Toronto Cosmetic Clinic) to talk about my Gyne. I had booked the surgery and everything ($500 deposit). When I got home I did some research on them on the web. They were being investigated for a post op death from lipo (similar to Kanye Wests mom). I then called the Ontario College of Plastic Surgeons. To be a PS in Ontario, you have to be accredited - which TCC was not. Technically you can be a family doctor and perform these operations in a private clinic here. The college gave me a list of accredited surgeons.. and I went from there. I'm not saying that TCC would have been a wrong choice, but I feel more comfortable being under the care of an accredited surgeon. If you're in Ontario, or any other Province or state for that matter, There must be some kind of governing body that can guide you to the right people. I lost my $500 deposit... but I'm really happy I did the research.. lesson learned.

[Paa_Paw]

It cannot be stressed too often that each person must take the time to do their own homework.

[George Pope, M.D.]

I recently returned from a cosmetic surgery seminar in Las Vegas.  I was truly outnumbered as a plastic surgeon.  Most attendees were OB/GYN's, family practice docs, and general surgeons.  One OB/GYN had the nerve to tell me that he's taken a weekend course on breast augmentation and was performing that procedure.   Those docs can all call themselves cosmetic surgeons or even plastic surgeons, but not ONE of them can honestly say that they are CERTIFIED BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY.  That's why we plastic surgeons stress that phrase to you so emphatically. 

It's a dangerous world out there.

Dr. Pope, M.D.

[Paa_Paw]

Thanks Dr. Pope,

What you just said cannot be repeated too often.

[matthew1]

Unfortunately, I walked through the room while my wife was channel surfing. I caught the one item and she was on to another channel so I don't know the news channel she had stopped at. One of the patients was a young man with Gynecomastia who actually wound up with breast implants.

I Googled "unlicensed Surgeons" and there was simply too much material for me to absorb.
 
Sorry I don't have a link for you, but it should be easy enough to find if you would care to do a search.

Besides, I really want you to question what I've said and do your own research. Trust me, It really is better that way. The information may have a greater impact if you are forced to find it for yourself.

''One of the patients was a young man with Gynecomastia who actually wound up with breast implants.''

    how did his breasts  look , any good?  LOL   ,

[Paa_Paw]

That image, thankfully, was not shown but simply mentioned.

[MSJ108]

[quote author=Dr. Pope link=topic=14675.msg104798#msg104798 date=1216527654]
I recently returned from a cosmetic surgery seminar in Las Vegas.  I was truly outnumbered as a plastic surgeon.  Most attendees were OB/GYN's, family practice docs, and general surgeons.  One OB/GYN had the nerve to tell me that he's taken a weekend course on breast augmentation and was performing that procedure.   Those docs can all call themselves cosmetic surgeons or even plastic surgeons, but not ONE of them can honestly say that they are CERTIFIED BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY.  That's why we plastic surgeons stress that phrase to you so emphatically. 

It's a dangerous world out there.

Dr. Pope, M.D.
[/quote]

 

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Many years ago, when I was in surgical training as a resident, I was speaking to a fellow resident.  He was in training in Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery) and I was in training in General Surgery.  When I mentioned that I was interested in Plastic Surgery, which would entail a total of seven (7) years of surgical training AFTER graduation from medical school, my friend said to me, "Why don't you train in ENT? -- it's the short cut to Plastic Surgery" (ENT training was a total of four years -- not seven).  I told him, "No thanks -- if I am going to be a Plastic Surgeon, I don't want to take any short cuts."

This story illustrates the fact that there are many doctors who take short cuts -- for various reasons and in different ways -- in an attempt to call themselves a Plastic Surgeon.  There is no substitute for proper training under supervision of a senior Plastic Surgeon.  That is why it is so important to check the credentials of your surgeon.  It is not enough for a surgeon to say he is Board Certified -- he could be a Board Certified Dermatologist who calls himself a Plastic Surgeon.  Make sure he is Board Certified only by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  That is the patient's only means of assuring himself of the proper qualifications of his Plastic Surgeon.

Elliot Jacobs, MD, FACS
Diplomate, American Board of Plastic Surgery

[Paa_Paw]

Funny that you should mention a Dermatologist.

Years ago when I was an Air Force Medic, we had a joke about Dermatologists.

They have the softest job in all of Medicine. Their patients are never acutely ill at 2AM and few of them ever are completely cured so a lifetime income is assured.