The lure and attractiveness of a discount and in some cases absurdly cheap cosmetic services is understandable. We all want to look and feel our best. However, we must be aware of unscrupulous individuals out there who will take our money and not show any care or compassion for our safety.
This is very evident in the world of cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical services. I recently saw a patient from South Florida who at 16 had nasal surgery in someone’s condo. I find this abhorrent. Not only is it illegal but the patient’s life was at risk. Unlicensed individuals will prey upon unsuspecting victims.
First, never have any procedure done in someone’s house, kitchen condo, or hotel. In most states including Florida, you must have a license to practice medicine or at least have a license to be a medical examiner. Some facilities have no MD available or accessible. These facilities are to be avoided. Free silicone is banned by the FDA of this country and should never be injected anywhere in the body.
Board Certification
Yet we continue to see mostly women who are attracted to this concept and fall victim. Some facilities will offer cosmetic procedures. For example, liposuction and breast augmentation under local anesthesia. I believe this exposes the patient to unnecessary risks. Furthermore, if a patient has a complication at the hands of a provider without a license they will be stressed to find a qualified plastic surgeon to treat their complication.
Again, I would avoid illegal silicone procedures in homes, condos, or hotel rooms. I understand the desire to save costs, but you are safer in the hands of board-certified plastic surgeons who are entirely vetted. Those who perform the procedures in licensed and certified facilities.
The news media is replete with horror stories about individuals who chose to have their procedures done by individuals without a license, qualification, or facilities without certification or license. You should only seek your services from qualified board-certified plastic surgeons.
THOMAS TREVISANI, MD
BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
MEMBER OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
