Hack Surgeon Signed Up Patients for Surgery Abroad, Disfigured Them

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Alex

A hack plastic surgeon who lured women from Manhattan to the Dominican Republic for cheap liposuctions has been fined and deported after his surgeries left seven patients permanently disfigured, according to a recent report in the New York Post. This is just one of a number of recent stories highlighting the dangers of cosmetic tourism and unqualified practitioners.

Hector Cabral, a 52-year-old plastic surgeon, is licensed to practice in the Dominican Republic but not the U.S. His scheme involved signing up patients in New York and having them fly to Santo Domingo for the surgeries. In October, he pleaded guilty to a charge of unauthorized practice of medicine, but he faces no further prosecution in the U.S. for his actions.

According to the terms of the sentence, which was established through a deal with the State Attorney General’s office, Cabral will be required to perform 250 hours of community service in the Dominican Republic. He has been barred from returning to the U.S. for 3 years and will have to pay $23,000 in restitution to his victims.

These measures are likely to be cold comfort to the women who have been disfigured by Cabral’s actions. Lissette Mejjia, a 36-year-old resident of the Bronx, told the Post that “he [Cabral] promised me that he was going to transform me, make me more beautiful, more [confident]… I came out of his office hypnotized.” Mejjia and six other women experienced post-operative complications, as skin on their torsos and hips blackened.

Plastic surgery can change a person’s life for better or worse, depending on the skills and qualifications of the man or woman holding the knife. Liposuction and other plastic surgeries carry a number of risks that need to be fully understood before committing to surgery with a trusted and reputable practitioner.

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Lunch Break Cosmetic Procedures

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Alex

While plastic surgery during the course of a lunch break is obviously impossible, there are a variety of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures that can easily be scheduled amidst a busy schedule. A recent article on FaceForum, an online facial plastic surgery resource, highlights some of the options that are available for patients on the go.

As FaceForum writer Christine Adamo points out, quick minimally-invasive treatments remain popular even during tough economic times. She identifies speed, convenience, minimum recovery, and fast results as the key advantages of “lunch break” cosmetic procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of lunch break procedures is continually on the rise, as more procedures are being studied, approved, and brought to market.

Adamo’s Tips for Lunch Break Procedures

  • Be aware that some procedures take different amounts of time for different patients.
  • Consult with your plastic surgeon and ask how long it may take.
  • Ask whether you will be able to apply makeup after the procedure.
  • Ask about possible redness or swelling.

The most popular approach is the “lunch hour facelift,” which refers to a set of procedures that offer facial rejuvenation without the need to go under the knife. Botox and dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Radiesse can be injected into the face in a single short session. Botox works by paralyzing certain muscles and allowing others to stretch, while dermal fillers add volume to the face and erase wrinkles and folds. The results are often comparable to the benefits of a facelift with none of the downtime.

Lip augmentation with dermal fillers is also a popular technique. By using the volumizing power of fillers such as Juvederm, a plastic surgeon can improve the appearance of the lips, making them larger and more sensual.

Microdermabrasion is a gentler alternative to traditional dermabrasion that can often be performed within an hour. This abrasive technique involves using tiny crystals that gently scrub away dead and damaged skin. This reveals healthier skin and stimulates the body’s healing process.

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At-Home Expansion Device for Breast Reconstruction Developed

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Alex

Tissue expansion is a common procedure for post-mastectomy patients who are preparing for breast reconstruction surgery, but it can often be painful and time-consuming, requiring multiple trips to a doctor’s office. According to a recent CBS news report, a new at-home tissue expansion device may soon provide an alternative.

A recent study for Columbia University Medical Center applied the experimental treatment to help Barbara Baxter, who had a mastectomy last year. A small device was implanted in her chest, with a remote control that would release small amounts of carbon dioxide, which expanded the breast tissue and muscle. According to Dr. Jeffrey Ascherman, who spoke with CBS:

“[Baxter] can do it through her clothes, she can be at work, she can be at home, she presses a little button and it releases a small dose of compressed CO2.

“She can do multiple small doses during each and every day. She has the potential with this to complete the process much more quickly.”

The device, known as the AirExpander, offered Baxter the opportunity to avoid saline injections and routine visits to her doctor’s office. She created enough space for her implant in six days, and hopes that the device will be made available to other patients:

“It’s a piece of cake compared to the other way I think. I haven’t had the other way but it didn’t look that pleasant to me.”

According to the news source, the AirExpander remains in clinical trials, but the company will likely apply for FDA approval by the end of 2012. If the device proves to be safe and effective in broader trials, it may soon provide a viable alternative for thousands of women facing tissue expansion after mastectomy.

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