Medical Malpractice and
the Dangers of Plastic Surgery

Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney Discusses Cosmetic Surgery Errors

Cosmetic surgery, also known as plastic surgery, is at an all-time high as procedures have become more affordable and as social acceptance of cosmetic surgery has grown. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were almost 16 million cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States in 2015. The most popular types of cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery include:

• Breast augmentations
• Breast reductions
• Cheek and chin implants
• Brow lifts and facelifts
• Eyelid surgery
• Rhinoplasty
• Ear pinning
• Liposuction
• Buttocks lifts and implants
• Neck lift
• Tummy tuck
• Injectable treatments
• Skin treatments

Although the majority of plastic surgery procedures are conducted by competent and caring medical professionals, mistakes and errors do happen – even to the best of doctors. At the same time, the quickly-growing industry means that, unfortunately, some physicians are attempting procedures even though they are not properly trained in the specialty.

Even if your cosmetic procedure was completely elective, you still deserve a reasonably safe and injury-free experience. If you have been harmed by plastic surgery or a cosmetic procedure, you have the same rights as any other medical patient. Speak to the Chicago medical malpractice attorneys at Malman law today to learn more about your case by calling 888.751.2297.

Common Types of Plastic Surgery Medical Malpractice

Carelessly performed plastic surgery has serious consequences, and in some cases, life-threatening ones. Of course, your physical appearance can be drastically altered by malpractice during plastic surgery—you can be stricken with discolored skin, scars, misshapen implants, and worse. Unfortunately, though, those are just the one type of cosmetic surgery malpractice—you can also suffer from serious internal side effects like nerve damage, infection, and internal bleeding.

The most common consequences of plastic surgery medical malpractice include:

• Scarring and aesthetic damage
• Nerve damage
• Infection
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Death

How do these errors happen? Some of the most common reasons for cosmetic surgery malpractice include:

• Failure to monitor the patient during surgery
• The use of incorrect techniques or incorrect tools
• An unsanitary operating environment
• An unqualified physician
• A lack of informed patient consent
• Medication errors
• Gross negligence

If your health, your appearance, or your overall quality of life has been harmed by a cosmetic surgery, you could be the victim of medical malpractice. This is not the time to be embarrassed or ashamed of your choices; all people deserve safe and compassionate medical care, regardless of whether the procedure was elected.

Cosmetic Surgery Errors & Discount Procedures

Because of the elective nature of most plastic surgery procedures, the industry is highly commercialized and fiercely competitive. In addition, because these procedures are usually not covered by health insurance, it is an extremely lucrative specialty for physicians. These two issues have one frightening result: cosmetic surgery is increasingly associated with:

• Doctors who do not have the correct training or experience
• Doctors who do not have the correct tools or equipment for their procedures
• Doctors who enter into the practice only to make money
• Doctors who do not put the health of their patients first
• Doctors who cut corners in order to increase profits
• Doctors who group too many cosmetic surgeries together at once
• Doctors who take advantage of their patients’ wishes to look and feel better about themselves

One of the most common forms of dangerous discount procedures is when a doctor gives a patient a “deal” on grouping multiple procedures together. While some simple cosmetic procedures can be combined safely, some doctors take this practice too far, putting their patients under anesthesia far too long or putting their bodies under too much duress.

Despite the allure of low-cost procedures, you should never take risks with your health and wellbeing. Discount procedures may be performed unsafely, in unsanitary conditions, or by individuals that are not properly licensed. A medical malpractice lawyer can investigate the circumstances of your plastic surgery and the background of the plastic surgeon.