Dr. Ralph Cozart Advises Patients to Avoid “Counterfeit Cosmetic Surgery”
Dr. Ralph Cozart, of Dunes Cosmetic Surgery, Advises Patients to Avoid “Counterfeit Cosmetic Surgery”
Some people might spend more time researching a new appliance purchase than they do a surgical procedure or even their physician’s medical credentials. In South Carolina, there is no law restricting what types of procedures a licensed physician can do in his or her office. Physicians from non-surgical backgrounds are doing cosmetic procedures outside of their core training in the office setting. I call this “counterfeit cosmetic surgery.” Some physicians will attend a two or three day lecture course to learn how to perform liposuction or a breast augmentation procedure. Those types of training courses are not restricted to Plastic Surgeons. Any physician with a medical license, such as Family Practice, Internal Medicine or Emergency Medicine can go to those training courses and get basic verbal instruction on these procedures. It is much easier for these physicians to go to a weekend surgery training workshop than to complete a formal residency in Plastic Surgery.
How does a person choose a surgical specialist for a cosmetic procedure? Do your homework! Ask your physician if they have hospital privileges to perform the same procedures that they perform in their office. Ask if they are board-certified in Plastic Surgery and if they are maintaining their certification. Many people are not aware that there is no recognized board certification in Cosmetic Surgery. Anyone with a medical license can place out a shingle and call themselves a Cosmetic Surgeon. If they are not board-certified Plastic Surgeons, in what specialty are they board-certified? Is their board certification recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties? Is their office surgery center even accredited?
Plastic Surgeons have a unique level of training that encompasses cosmetic as well as reconstructive procedures. The minimum standard to become board-certified in Plastic Surgery is at least three years of a surgical prerequisite residency after medical school and at least two years of Plastic Surgery residency or fellowship. Most of us who have been in practice for at least 10 years have completed a full five-year General Surgery residency and at least a two-year Plastic Surgery residency. It is during that comprehensive plastic surgery residency that we learn the safe and effective techniques for cosmetic and reconstructive procedures through hands-on surgical instruction from board-certified Professors of Plastic Surgery. We continue to perfect our techniques through years of surgical experience. Plastic Surgeons also have to acquire continuing education yearly to maintain our board certification and membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. As many newer techniques become available, we have to attend postgraduate courses to become fully trained in these procedures. We will never stop learning. Was it worth all this training when it is not a state requirement? Absolutely! Patient safety demands it, and there is no substitute for appropriate training and experience. The lengthy and extensive training pays off daily through the smiles of happy patients. Cosmetic Surgery patients expect results!
If you have any questions, please call Dr. Ralph Cozart at Dunes Cosmetic Surgery at 843-497-7771. Dunes Cosmetic Surgery is located at 1021 Medical Circle, Ste. 230, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
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