An Arizona doctor was suspended in July 2007, when a third liposuction patient under his care died earlier this month. The suspended doctor, who is board certified in Internal Medicine, is not certified to perform plastic or cosmetic surgical operations by the main plastic surgery approval board.

“We’re seeing an increasing number of doctors shifting their practices to include plastic surgery procedures, said Roxanne Guy, MD, who is president of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).  Calling yourselfa plastic or cosmetic surgeon does not make you a qualified plastic surgeon.”

In most states, including Arizona, licensed physicians are not restricted from performing plastic surgery, including liposuction, regardless of their training. The suspended doctor, Peter Normann, MD, was certified in internal medicine by the Arizona Medical Board. Dr. Normann practices in Anthem, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix.

According to Dr. Guy, calling yourself a plastic or cosmetic surgeon does not make you a qualified plastic surgeon. Just because a doctor is state board-certified does not mean that he or she is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In light of Dr. Normann’s suspension, the ABPS cautions consumers regarding the importance of checking a physician’s credentials before entering into an agreement to allow plastic surgery, including liposuction. To be ABPS-certified, a physician must meet the following requirements:

• Be a graduate of an accredited medical school.
• Complete at least 5 years of a combination of general surgery and plastic surgery residency training.
• Pass comprehensive oral and written exams.

In addition, the ABPS certified surgeons are also required to regularly attend continuing medical education courses, operate under a strict code of ethics and perform surgery in accredited surgical facilities.

The ABPS warns consumers to be very careful of entering into a doctor/patient relationship to receive plastic surgery without first carefully checking the credentials of the physician. There are approximately 6,000 certified members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the accrediting organization in Canada. These organizations represent about 90% of all certified plastic surgeons.

Source: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons Press Release July 2007: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-12-2007/0004624816&EDATE=