Date Posted:
August 19, 2020
Post Author
Andres Beregovich
Categories
Florida has developed a reputation as the place to go for affordable cosmetic procedures. The state even has a strong medical tourism economy to show for it and Miami is at the heart of it all. But that reputation has come at an enormous cost. Time and time again we hear horror stories of patients dying on the operating table or hobbled with life-long pain, scarring, or additional injuries after a surgical procedure. Many of these botched procedures can be traced to “Miami mills”; cosmetic surgery locations that employ unqualified surgeons to perform substantially more procedures in one day than is professionally acceptable and that perform the procedures in nothing more than a strip mall location.
The Beregovich Law Firm has represented patients and their families in medical malpractice lawsuits against these shady operations, but even when we win a case, it’s heartbreaking. The patient will never live as they once did and families that have lost a loved one will never recover from the loss.
Avoid These Red Flags When Researching Cosmetic Surgery Clinics
We have seen too many awful outcomes on patients who undergo cut-rate cosmetic procedures all because they didn’t take the time to do proper research on the procedure, the clinic, or the surgeon. To help you minimize your risk, we’ve compiled a list of red flags that should act as a warning sign that the clinic or surgeon you are considering may not be completely above board and safe:
- The physician is not board-certified. The safest cosmetic surgeons have additional training, experience, and board-certification in specific procedures. Florida does not require surgeons to have special training in the procedures they offer which means any doctor can offer any cosmetic procedure they want, even without having training in it. Always check your physician’s status through independent organizations like the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) to see if they are trained in what they claim. ABCS even has a helpful checklist to help you select a cosmetic surgeon.
- The doctor doesn’t meet with you in person ahead of time. It is a huge red flag when a surgeon does not meet with the patient in person ahead of time to examine you and discuss the procedure. Yes, telemedicine is on the rise, particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak, but there is a difference between meeting with a patient via a private tele-session and talking about the procedure via social media (Yes, I have seen cases where these “pre-op” meetings took place over Instagram!)
- Ads, Ads, Everywhere. It’s one thing to advertise your services, but clinics that overrun social media platforms with flashy paid ads should always raise a red flag. If the ad reads more like a “can’t live without this” marketing sales pitch and not a medical service, think twice before making your appointment or at the very least do some independent research and fact check the clinic somewhere other than social media.
- Be Wary Of The Too Good To Be True Claims. Always remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You’ll no doubt be intrigued by exceptional pricing and easy “in and out” promises. This is how they hook unsuspecting people, but it usually means they are skimping on something somewhere – be it the surgeon’s general skill level or expertise, the quality of care, or clinic capabilities.
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is full of information and resources that can be used to help you choose a cosmetic surgeon and stay safe. I encourage anyone who is considering a cosmetic procedure to visit the site for tips and advice.
If you have been injured due to a botched cosmetic procedure, contact The Beregovich Law Firm for help. You may be able to claim medical negligence and receive compensation for your injuries and losses. Call our main number at (800) 631-9009 or contact us online to schedule a free case consultation at our Miami or Orlando office.
