Hi,

In a most unfortunate turn of events, Donda West, mother of famous rapper Kanye West, died one day after undergoing cosmetic surgery. The cause of death is still being investigated but the Los Angeles County coroner’s office has said it was probably due to complications from the surgery or anesthesia.

In these times of the Extreme Makeover, Botox parties, one-hour liposuctions and quick facelifts, consumers have been led to believe that cosmetic procedures are not without risk of complications. Our television shows have trivialized the whole procedure. Celebrities proudly boast of having the biggest these, or the tightest that. The patients, the media, and even cosmetic surgeons (especially if they are on TV) tend to minimize the risk of these procedures.

One fact has been set aside in all the hype: cosmetic surgery is considered major surgery, especially from an anesthetic perspective.

Kanye West’s mother, Donda, is only the latest to fall victim to the idea that plastic surgery is as quick and easy as disposing of plastic. In 2004, Olivia Goldsmith, the best-selling author, suffered a heart attack after undergoing anesthesia for a “chin tuck” cosmetic procedure. She was 54.

To be sure, deaths in cosmetic procedures are quite rare, with one death for every 52,000 procedures. In 2006, about 11.5 million cosmetic procedures (surgical and non-surgical) were performed, an increase of 446 percent from 1997. Cosmetic surgery can be safe … but only if proper safety procedures are observed. Although safe, it is not risk-free.

Sometimes, patients thinking they have the financial means will consider herself or himself as a perfect candidate for cosmetic surgery. They tend to downplay any adverse factors in their medical history. It is not altogether unlikely that they may use deception, to convince the physician of their fitness to undergo surgery and achieve their goal of physical perfection.

We must all remember that plastic surgery is the ultimate elective surgery: none of it is necessary. Still, medical rules and common sense should not be ignored to accommodate a patient’s vanity.

Those contemplating a plastic surgery procedure must think the matter through.

• Get information. As in any serious undertaking, you should do your homework and know as much as you can about the benefits and the risks. Use the Internet and look it up in the medical websites.
• Know what to expect. Ask your plastic surgeon about the benefits and risks of the procedure. Talk about your expectations. Ask about what the side effects might be and recovery period.
• Ask around. Try looking up patients who have undergone the procedure you want and talk to them about it.
• Choose a certified plastic surgeon. It is not enough that the surgeon have training. The surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
• Get a medical clearance. Your personal physician should clear you for the surgery. You may have to get chest X-rays and EKGs.
• Be honest. Do not minimize your medical history when examined by the plastic surgeon. Full disclosure is necessary so the surgeon will be prepared. Remember, the risk of complications will increase with conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

It may not be possible to eliminate all risks, but as an informed patient, you can help to diminish them. Cosmetic surgery may give you some peace of mind but only if you remember that it is all about safety.

We invite you to share your views and comments with the rest of our readers. Since life has no reset button, think safety. And, tune into this blog and to our website daily.

Safe Living, Yovette Mumford

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