I recently read an article in USA today that got my immediate attention. The link is provided here.Cosmetic Surgery Dangers. Apparently, according to this article the 8 years of residency training that I did to become a cosmetic surgeon may be of some benefit in providing safe and predictable outcomes for my patients. The article mentions that, as economic pressures have increased on medical doctors, some have sought to bolster their income by providing cosmetic services. Weekend courses, slick advertising, practicing outside the confines and regulatory practices of hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers have allowed this new crop of “cosmetic doctors” to peform aesthetic services like surgery, lasers and injectables without the oversight and regulation of other physicians. This article also discusses the importance of Board Certification. Plastic Surgeons, ENT’s and advanced fellowships in Dermatologic Surgery all have training during their residency that incorporates the principles and practice of cosmetic surgery. These training programs are often after a general surgery or ent residency that is 5-6 years of surgical experience. A weekend course is just not enough. Often, the Boards these wannabees say they are a member of are issued to doctors like themselves with limited training. At our office, I oversee everything. All nurse and cosmetologist providers have been trained by me and practice within the scope of their ability, training and licensure.We consider safety first and foremost and use only the very best of equipment, materials, photography and staff. Our fees may be somewhat higher than at the mall. Like anything in the US, you get what you pay for. The immediate gratification of a lower price can sometimes be far outweighed by long standing pain of a poor outcome or the added cost of a repeat procedure.