Of all the medical specialties that we encounter in handling Texas medical malpractice claims, there’s one that’s a true outlier: plastic/cosmetic surgery.
Even with all the changes in modern health care, physicians and surgeons in most medical specialties are typically rather old school. They behave like professionals, not promising a particular outcome, but rather couch their opinions in experience and medical science. Their advertisements are pretty basic and informational.
Then there are plastic and cosmetic surgeons.
Many plastic and cosmetic surgeons in Texas use attractive models and Hollywood-like advertising to attract patients. They often use trade names and tout the surgeon’s national or worldwide fame as the best of the best. Once potential patients show up for a consult, they’re often subjected to high-pressure sales techniques and are required to pay a hefty surgical deposit before they’re allowed to see or speak with the surgeon.
One of the more recent trends I’ve seen from potential and new clients contacting Painter Law Firm is problems encountered during what I call plastic surgery tourism.
Like everyone, potential plastic/cosmetic surgery patients research topics and options on the internet. Believing the over-hyped promises, patients contact the surgeon’s office and speak with a high-pressure sales representative that extracts a deposit and schedules surgery, all before the patient has an opportunity to meet or speak with the surgeon.
By the time the patient arrives in Texas, the financial stakes are high.
Of course, any surgery carries certain risks, even if it’s performed properly. When traveling out of state for elective plastic or cosmetic surgery, follow-up care becomes more complicated. When there is a nerve injury, infection, or extensive wound care is needed, patients often find new physicians back home reluctant to get involved.
In general, I’ve found most surgeons to be far more capable in the operating room than in handling post-operative complications and follow-up care. The tendency to doubt the patient’s complaints of pain, redness, or infection are significant. It’s not uncommon for surgeons and their front office staff to often downplay these reports as coming from hysterical patients who simply don’t realize that they’re just having expected findings.
This general trend is exacerbated when an out-of-state patient is trying to obtain desperately needed follow-up care from far away. Delays in diagnosis can lead to delays in treatment, which can cause devastating permanent impairment and injuries.
If you’ve been seriously injured because of poor plastic cosmetic surgical care in Texas, then contact a top-rated experienced Texas medical malpractice lawyer for a free consultation about your potential case.
