Seattle Eastside Plastic Surgeons Form Advertising Cooperative to Explain the Real Meaning of 'Board Certification' in Plastic Surgery

SEATTLE, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Six local members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have formed an advertising cooperative to educate the public of the risks they are taking by choosing unqualified professionals to perform their cosmetic plastic surgery. Many patients unknowingly have cosmetic surgery performed by unqualified physicians in non-accredited office facilities.

Unlike any other specialty area of medicine, the lucrative, cash-up-front industry of cosmetic medicine seems to attract an alarming number of unqualified and unscrupulous practitioners who draw in patients by offering deep discounts and over-the-top advertising campaigns. It is important to note that medical authorities, such as state licensing boards, do not monitor or restrict specialty practice, so any licensed physician is legally allowed to practice plastic surgery or any other medical specialty regardless of his or her training or experience level.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeons have at least six years of surgical training, have passed rigorous testing and operate only in accredited medical facilities.

The six local members of the ASPS decided to take matters into their own hands by advertising for the greater good. The result is a TV campaign and a website to help inform the public.

"We are concerned about billboards and other local advertising vehicles that promise the world to potential patients - without explaining that the world into which they were being lured is a mirage. We are trying to educate the public about the skill level of ABPS-certified plastic surgeons. These other physicians are operating out of their scope of practice. We can't just say we're the plastic surgeons and expect the public to understand what that means," according to Dr. Gavin Dry, local ASPS member.

Local ASPS members participating in this advertising cooperative:

Dr. Gavin Dry (Kirkland, WA) / Dr. George Marosan (Bellevue, WA) / Dr. George Min (Kirkland, WA) / Dr. Scott Sattler (Bellevue, WA) / Dr. Sepehr Egrari (Bellevue, WA) / Dr. Sarah McMillan (Kirkland, WA).

For more information about this advertising cooperative, contact Ann Miller at Dr. Gavin Dry's office at 425-821-6000 or visit the Seattle Eastside Plastic Surgeons website at http://www.SeattleEastsidePlasticSurgeons.com

Media contact: Dan Mathews, Brand It Advertising, 509-891-8300

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SOURCE Seattle Eastside Plastic Surgeons