Doctor Reviews: Can They Prevent Plastic Surgery Nightmares?
When one thinks of cosmetic surgery, one usually thinks of the United States. The United States has become the absolute leader when it comes to going under the knife for vanity. With Hollywood stars leading the way, today’s woman (or man) need not be satisfied with her natural appearance. Some Botox here, some liposuction there, and you’re all set, right? Perhaps, but the latest plastic surgery warning stories are coming out of the Great White North. And the horror stories that have emerged from some recent hearings have caused some to question whether a concerted nationwide effort to harmonize medical reviews could weed out some of the bad apples in the profession.
A cosmetic surgeon by the name of Behnaz Yazdanfar, or Dr. Yaz as her patients used to call her, was the subject of professional hearings related to charges brought against her in the death of a patient named Krista Stryland. Dr. Yaz was being accused of professional misconduct and incompetence stemming from the case. Stryland underwent liposuction in September 2007 and her heart stopped after the operation. Attempts to revive her were in vain. As a result of the procedures that followed the tragedy, Dr. Yazdanfar lost her right to practice, but it is the practice of liposuction itself that is under the most scrutiny.
Liposuction is a procedure designed to suction fat from any part of the body where fat deposits tend to accumulate. This could be in the abdominal area, legs, buttocks, or anywhere else. It is generally recommended that patients be close to their ideal weight to undergo the operation, as it is not intended as a substitute for weight loss. Rather, it is designed to target those hard-to-reach areas where fat remains even after the subject has dropped to or near their ideal weight. As with all forms of plastic surgery, the majority of patients are women, although procedures are performed on an increasing number of men as well.
The issue is whether these people are being duly informed of the risks involved in these surgeries. Although liposuction has become quite common, the case of Krista Stryland and others shows that it is not without serious risks. With a good medical review system, it may be possible to send more people to competent, forthright doctors who are open and honest with their patients about what they’re getting into.