Recently, a young woman from West Virginia traveled to South Florida for a cosmetic surgery procedure. Sadly, her case made national news because it resulted in her death.

Plastic surgery is a legitimate medical specialty and should be treated with the same caution and respect as one would for heart or brain surgery. While the indications for surgery may often be less emergent than typical organ surgery, real risks of any procedure can occur. It is important that patients do not diminish the importance of finding a quality surgeon who has their safety as the number one concern.

Occasionally, procedural safety is compromised in the name of cost to make out of pocket procedures more affordable to a greater group of people. Ensure that your surgeon is taking every precaution that would be demanded by a fully certified hospital or medical center.

While we all want the best results for our cosmetic patients, our number one priority is to “first, do no harm.” It is our duty as qualified, ethical surgeons to educate patients about the risks, safety and precautions that are necessary to ensure their safety as well as our effort to achieve the best possible aesthetic results. Too commonly, patients will travel to find “discount” surgery at underground clinics or overseas. Unfortunately, the internet only makes it easier to find these types of clinics and blurs the lines between fully licensed, board certified, plastic surgery trained doctors.

Please don’t look for a discount surgeon. It’s just not worth it.