Patient Safety

Plastic surgery safety precautions in the coronavirus era

Shahram Salemy, MD FACS | Seattle, WA Thursday, June 25, 2020

While many have been adjusting their day-to-day lives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in plastic surgery was only temporarily dampened.

Finding the right plastic surgeon for you

Shahram Salemy, MD FACS | Seattle, WA Tuesday, December 3, 2019

If you've decided to have plastic surgery, you've probably spent a lot of time wondering how to find a good plastic surgeon.

How reliable are online reviews for plastic surgery?

Heather Furnas, MD, FACS | Santa Rosa, CA Tuesday, October 1, 2019

While a doctor's website is often reliable, there is nonetheless the potential for bias, so patients often rely on online reviews to offer "social proof."

Investing in your safety when choosing to have plastic surgery

Heather Furnas, MD, FACS | Santa Rosa, CA Friday, August 9, 2019

Before embarking on elective plastic surgery, you have choices to make. Who will perform your surgery? Where will your surgeon operate? How much will you pay? If your top priority is low cost, you might not be making the best decision.

Having plastic surgery? Here's how to prepare for a smooth recovery

Heather Furnas, MD, FACS | Santa Rosa, CA Tuesday, April 23, 2019

After you've decided to have plastic surgery and you’ve chosen a great plastic surgeon, you're probably going to get a great result, right? Actually, there is someone else just as essential to a great outcome – you!

Why plastic surgery tourism isn't necessarily a good deal

Shahram Salemy, MD FACS | Seattle, WA Friday, March 29, 2019

As plastic surgery has become more common and accepted, patients have begun to shop internationally for deals and discounts. This has sparked an entirely new category of travel dubbed "plastic surgery tourism."

What to look for in a quality med spa

Eric Mariotti, MD | Concord, CA Friday, March 8, 2019

A med spa is a combination of an aesthetic medical center and a day spa that provides nonsurgical aesthetic medical services.

How to find a plastic surgeon

Shahram Salemy, MD FACS | Seattle, WA Friday, January 18, 2019

While it's become easier and more commonplace to get plastic surgery, it can feel a tad daunting when patients begin their search for a qualified plastic surgeon to whom they can entrust their treatment.

Is plastic surgery right for you?

Rod Rohrich, MD, FACS | Dallas, TX Friday, April 20, 2018

Men and women of all ages choose to have plastic surgery for several reasons. Whatever the reason, plastic surgery can be a life-changing experience that can improve patients' lives.

Tips to prepare for your plastic surgery consultation

Rod Rohrich, MD, FACS | Dallas, TX Wednesday, March 7, 2018

You have decided to have plastic surgery, found your prospective plastic surgeon and booked an appointment for a consultation. What now?

What does an FDA approval mean for cosmetic treatments and devices?

Terence Myckatyn, MD | St. Louis, MO Tuesday, February 27, 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cosmetics and medical devices, which covers the bulk of what is available at a typical plastic surgery office.

Tips for choosing a plastic surgeon

Rod Rohrich, MD, FACS | Dallas, TX Wednesday, February 21, 2018

If you are considering plastic surgery, you have some decisions to make. The most important is choosing the right plastic surgeon.

When is plastic surgery appropriate for teenagers?

Rod Rohrich, MD, FACS | Dallas, TX Friday, February 9, 2018

A recent trend shows that not only are plastic surgery patients getting younger, the number of teens seeking plastic surgery is increasing. When should the answer be "yes" to plastic surgery for teenagers?

Eight secrets plastic surgeons only tell their friends

Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery | Reston, VA Friday, September 22, 2017

Find out the secrets behind the scalpel, straight from the plastic surgeons themselves.

Ten things to ask before having plastic surgery

Rod Rohrich, MD, FACS | Dallas, TX Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon these ten questions at your consultation before undergoing any cosmetic procedure.

How to ensure your plastic surgery is safe

Rod Rohrich, MD, FACS | Dallas, TX Friday, June 23, 2017

Ensuring safety throughout your plastic surgery journey is just as important as the procedure you want and the desired result.

Let your plastic surgeon know if you're taking psychoactive drugs

Heather Furnas, MD | Santa Rosa, CA Wednesday, June 7, 2017

The use of psychoactive drugs is exploding among plastic surgery patients, but not all patients disclose their usage to their plastic surgeons. Although people may not realize it, these medications can lead to surgical complications.

Is your plastic surgeon board certified? That's the first of many questions to ask

Jonathan Kaplan, MD | San Francisco, CA Friday, April 21, 2017

Patient education forums often recommend checking your doctor's board certification prior to the consultation. If you notice, this question is typically recommended for patients seeking out doctors for cosmetic services.

The importance of choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon

Victor J. Hassid, MD, FACS | Houston, TX Friday, March 10, 2017

Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your plastic surgery procedure is an important step in safely achieving your optimal surgical outcome.

Plastic surgery and New Year's resolutions

Josef Hadeed, MD, FACS | Beverly Hills, CA Tuesday, December 27, 2016

It's quite possible that a carefully planned plastic surgery can help many people in achieving their New Year's resolutions going into 2017.

How nicotine sabotages plastic surgery

Heather Furnas, MD | Santa Rosa, CA Monday, December 12, 2016

Having plastic surgery? Then your plastic surgeon probably told you not to smoke. That’s good advice. But that doesn’t mean you can reach for a substitute. Nicotine wears several masks that may seem seductively harmless, but don’t let them fool you!

Plastic surgery tourism: Proceed with caution

Francisco Canales, MD | Santa Rosa, CA Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Good plastic surgery happens not only in the USA, but also around the world. However, if you are an American citizen planning to travel out of the country for a short period of time to have an elective cosmetic procedure, caveat emptor.

Importance of patient safety in plastic surgery

Josef Hadeed, MD, FACS | Beverly Hills, CA Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Please do your homework and find out if your surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon by visiting the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or the American Board of Plastic Surgery websites.

Why an accredited surgery center matters

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD | Houston, TX Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Are you sure you chose an accredited surgical facility with a clean background? This is a detail that many people overlook, assuming the operating room will be fine. However, choosing an accredited facility is vital for a safe experience.

10 features of a safe operating room

Heather Furnas, MD | Santa Rosa, CA Tuesday, January 19, 2016

If you're having plastic surgery, you're probably putting 100% of your focus on choosing your surgeon. But where you have your surgery is as important as who does your surgery.

Tragedy in the tropics: Proceed with caution when having plastic surgery abroad

Joshua Greenwald, MD | Harrison, NY Sunday, May 31, 2015

Once again, there is news of an untimely death as a result of plastic surgery performed in a Dominican clinic. My advice for patients considering plastic surgery abroad is to weigh all risks, understand potential complications and proceed with caution.

Is a cosmetic surgeon a plastic surgeon?

Marcel Malek, MD | Scottsdale, AZ Thursday, May 30, 2013

When a patient begins a search to find a plastic surgeon, one of the most common things he or she is not aware of is that there is a difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon. Cosmetic surgery is performed by many physicians, and unfortunately, some are not under the guidance of a properly credentialed board.

Do your plastic surgery homework, it could save your life

Malcolm Roth, MD | Albany, NY Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Almost every day we see a new story about the most requested celebrity body parts. Last month, U.K. patients favored Kate Middleton's nose. For a few years now, some women have been looking for a fuller backside à la Jennifer Lopez or Kim Kardashian.

Gifting cosmetic surgery: A delicate balance

Earl Campbell, MD | Calgary, AB Friday, November 23, 2012

With the holidays approaching, many are wondering if gifting a cosmetic procedure is appropriate. Personally, I discourage this practice as it tends to trivialize a potentially invasive intervention. However, if gifting a cosmetic procedure is on your holiday to-do list, here are some things to consider.

Remember the three P's of plastic surgery

Jennifer Walden, MD | Austin, Texas Thursday, July 26, 2012

It used to be that one would go to a salon simply to get one's hair and nails done, but these days salons offer all kinds of beauty treatments including cosmetic injectables and even more invasive procedures. The prices can be very cheap, but the results can be catastrophic.

Cosmetic results are impacted by reconstructive training

Hatem Abou-Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS | Boca Raton, FL Monday, July 2, 2012

We are fond of saying that to become a great cosmetic surgeon, one must first be a great reconstructive surgeon. This is for several reasons.

Becoming a plastic surgeon

Hatem Abou-Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS | Boca Raton, FL Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Even the most gifted plastic surgeon does not always produce a perfect, "home run" result, but it is a hallmark of a good plastic surgeon that he/she will always aim to do so, and will ethically manage complications and disappointments to the best of his/her skill set.

Why a plastic surgeon?

Hatem Abou-Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS | Boca Raton, FL Monday, June 18, 2012

Every so often, a patient walks into my office, referred by her dermatologist for a new skin lesion after I have previously removed one to her satisfaction, and I discover the patient has, in the interim, gone to see someone else for a cosmetic surgery procedure.