Plastic Surgery Articles

Boom in Plastic Surgery Practitioners

December 7, 2006 -

Many more surgeons, emergency room physicians, obstetricians, and other physicians are stepping into the plastic surgery arena. Plastic surgery is very enticing to medical practitioners who specialize in other fields and have to deal with government programs, insurance providers, heavy patient caseloads, huge insurance premiums, and long workweeks.

Unfortunately, this influx of new practitioners brings with it an increasing number of under-qualified plastic surgeons, making a patient’s selection of a board-certified plastic surgeon today more important than ever.

Until recently, the only physicians practicing cosmetic medicine were plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and facial surgeons - physicians who underwent years of specialized training in their fields.

But now physicians from all areas are being lured to cosmetic medicine, and with good reason. Patients pay up front for their procedures so plastic surgeons don’t often have to deal with Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs that rarely cover cosmetic procedures. Plastic surgeons also deal with smaller patient caseloads, pay lower insurance premiums, and get to set their own hours.

“And it’s very satisfying,” said Dr Nwankpa-Keshinro, an obstetrician and gynecologist turned cosmetic medicine practitioner. “When you clear up someone’s acne or facial hair, they are as grateful as if you delivered their baby.”

The Dispute Rages

However, board-certified plastic surgeons and specialists don’t like the fact that many of these new plastic surgeons are performing procedures with very limited training.

“Dentists are doing Botox, and urologists are doing hair transplants and vein removal,” said Dr. Ellen Gendler, Manhattan dermatologist. “Everyone wants to be a plasticologist.”

Many see danger in the new trend.

Dr. Stephen H. Miller, president of the American Board of Medical Specialties commented that, “You can’t assume that everyone with a pilot’s license can fly a 747 as well as a piper cub When you use a generic medical license to practice other forms of medicine, there is an inherent danger to patient safety.”

Seeking the services of a highly qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon? Please click here to locate a board-certified plastic surgeon near you.

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