Understand cosmetic surgery risks
By MONICA HAYNES
The death of Kanye West's mother, Donda West, following cosmetic surgery has brought a call once again for prospective patients to do their homework.
West reportedly consulted with two surgeons, including Dr. Jan Adams, who did her surgery.
Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Dr. Leo McCafferty did not want to comment on this particular case since all the facts are not known.
"In a general sense, I think people need to understand all surgery, plastic surgery, does pose some risk and it is important that patients do investigate their physician, and board certification is an excellent area to start," he said.
While he said there are other board-certified doctors such as orthopedists who are capable of performing cosmetic surgery, those certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery are certified to do cosmetic surgery on all parts of the body.
McCafferty, a board member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, said patients also should make sure the physician performing their surgery has privileges to do so in a hospital in addition to an outpatient facility. Society members must be board-certified, have hospital privileges and operate in state-licensed or Medicare-certified facilities.