When Liposuction Goes Wrong, the Result Can Be Deadly
When a patient does narrow the choice of doctors, he is likely to get conflicting advice--even from the same doctor. A male U.S. News reporter, 5 feet, 10 inches, 170 pounds, in good shape but with small "love handles," consulted with one Miami Beach doctor, who told the 38-year-old he was wasting his money but nevertheless promised he would whittle his waist size from 34 to 31 inches. And within 90 minutes of the appointment, the clinic's marketing coordinator called to follow up. A doctor in another Miami clinic instantly labeled the reporter "overweight" but said he would remove only 4 pounds of fat on an initial visit. In Beverly Hills, a 43-year-old female reporter, 5 feet, 2 inches, 115 pounds, and very fit, visited one doctor who promised to "aggressively sculpt" her small saddlebags. Another said she was not a good candidate for the procedure.
Lax oversight. In response to growing concerns, at least three states are looking at ways to clamp down on outpatient surgery. In California, where as many as 70 percent of oral surgeons are now doing cosmetic surgery, a new law requires doctors to conspicuously post their board certification and use "after" pictures of real patients, not models. Florida recently issued new standards for office procedures, requiring better monitoring after surgery but still allowing in-office operations as long as eight hours. Still, state medical boards cannot regulate these centers unless they receive complaints. Yet policing isn't the only solution. "Part of the blame is with the patients, who expect a lot from this type of surgery," says de Jong. "I think the public needs to be aware that you can't expect too much."
[Photo captions]:
TAMMARIA COTTON,
Died at age 43
The Los Angeles woman leaked fluids after her liposuction, but the obstetrician who operated on her left his office. She had a fatal heart attack.
JUDY FERNANDEZ,
Died at age 47
Went in for liposuction and other cosmetic surgery, spending 10 hours on the table. The state medical board revoked the doctor's license for negligence.
LISA MARIE MARINELLI,
Died at age 23
The New Jersey woman had liposuction after seeing a brochure in her dermatologist's office. She died of a blood clot the day after surgery. The family sued and won.
With Doug S. Pasternak and Betsy Streisand
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