Los Angeles Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Joel Aronowitz, is Ahead of the Legislative Curve for Patient Safety

Los Angeles (RUSHPRNEWS) August 25, 2008 — In light of many recent, well-publicized occurrences of patient deaths after plastic surgery, California is re-examining the oversight procedures of outpatient surgical facilities as well as verifying credentials. Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon (http://www.aronowitzmd.com), Dr. Joel Aronowitz, is Clinical Chief of the Cedar Sinai Medical Center Division of Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles, and has long provided the utmost in patient safety without legislation.

A recent article published in the “Los Angeles Times” by Rong-Gong Lin II highlighted the need for more oversight and regulatory practices of the plastic surgery industry. These proposed bills are a result of the high profile death of Donde West, mother to hip-hop/rapper Kanye West. Dr. Aronowitz has his own established criteria to ensure patient safety without the need for legislative oversight.
Bill AB 2968 proposes a mandatory physical prior to plastic surgery. As noted in Lin’s article, Donde West was not given an examination, and her history of heart disease was not taken into consideration.

Dr. Aronowitz knows how crucial a factor is a patient’s current health as well as the medical and surgical history of each patient. After a thorough history is discussed, he then does an in-depth examination of the problem and makes recommendations. Heart disease, diabetes and other conditions may be contraindications for procedures like liposuction, breast reduction and tummy tuck (http://www.aronowitzmd.com/before-after-beverly-hills-tummy-tuck-01.html), and such serious medical issues require preoperative evaluation and medical clearance.

Each post-bariatric patient is unique, and Dr. Aronowitz insists on a thorough consultation to determine individualized treatment. Dr. Aronowitz says, “Some patients may need just a tummy tuck, while others may need more than one procedure. It is a case by case situation.”

An example of the need for careful history and exam is that of a bariatric patient who needs a Los Angeles body lift (www.aronowitzmd.com/los-angeles-post-bariatric.html). This is a fairly long procedure, and there are risks anytime anesthesia is used for long periods of time. Pre-surgery patient health is a factor in the careful monitoring during and post-operative. These are all important to ensure a patient’s safety.

Bill SB 1454 calls for inspections every three years of the outpatient surgical facilities. This is to ensure the facilities are clean, safe and properly equipped for monitoring and emergencies. At the Tower Outpatient Surgery Center, Dr. Aronowitz is in close proximity to the premier Cedar Sinai Medical Center in case of emergency. Anesthesia is administered and monitored by experienced MD anesthesiologists from Cedar Sinai as well.

Despite proposed legislation, according to Lin’s article, Dr. Michael F. McGuire, vice president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, believes the real issue is that patients need to question their doctors’ qualifications. Currently, any doctor can perform plastic surgery whether he has been properly trained and certified or not. Requiring surgeons to provide their credentials would be similar to measures taken in Florida.

Dr. Aronowitz knows that “plastic surgery is a surgical specialty within the field of medicine” and that experience and training should not be compromised. This is why he is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the even more specialized American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons. He makes sure that his staff is properly licensed from his Physician’s Assistant to his RNs.

To learn more about the facilities at The Tower Outpatient Surgery Center, Dr. Aronowitz and the Los Angeles plastic surgery (www.aronowitzmd.com) procedures he performs, visit his Web site at www.aronowitzmd.com.
 

About Dr. Joel Aronowitz
Dr. Joel Aronowitz is a preeminent Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon in practice for over 20 years at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he serves as Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Aronowitz is widely respected in the community and by colleagues for his professional dedication, commitment to precise work, and years of teaching and charitable community work.
Dr. Aronowitz is a cum laude graduate of Southern Methodist University and earned his medical degree in the accelerated program at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Aronowitz also completed training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Houston’s well-known Texas Medical Center.

Dr. Aronowitz is certified as a diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member in good standing of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Aronowitz is also a member of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons (ASBPS). He is a Qualified Medical Examiner in the state of California and contributes to peer review activities for local institutions, hospitals, and the State of California Board of Medical Quality Assurance.

At Cedars Sinai Medical Center, and as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Plastic Surgery at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Dr. Aronowitz shares his extensive knowledge with trainee surgeons. He has lectured on plastic surgery throughout America and internationally, and published several scientific papers in medical journals on corrective surgery for poor results after breast augmentation, facial cosmetic surgery, breast cancer, and other subjects.

Contact Information
WILLIAM SCOTT
504-208-3921