By all accounts, Krista Stryland was a successful real estate agent in good health, which makes the tragic end
the 37-year-old Toronto woman met following a liposuction procedure all the more disturbing.
It's alleged Stryland underwent an operation to remove fat from her abdominal area at the Yonge Street Toronto Cosmetic Clinic on Thursday September 20. Everything went more or less according to plan, until after the operation when her heart stopped beating.
Stryland was rushed to
North
York
General
Hospital
, but all attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.
The death quickly launched a storm of questions regarding the responsible surgeon's training, and it's since been reported that Dr. Behnaz Yazdanfar, the family doctor in charge, had some cosmetic surgery training, but isn't licensed in the field.
Now, Stryland's death is serving as a warning to would-be patients who might not understand how Canadian law makes it possible for any licensed medial practitioner to operate a "cosmetic surgery" clinic, though many aren't actually trained as plastic surgeons, who require far more stringent guidelines.
"In Canada anyone can be classified as a cosmetic surgeon," so you don't necessarily need to be a surgeon, you can be a family doctor," said Dr. Sean Rice, who tried to revive Stryland when she was rushed to hospital.
And this isn't the first time the issue has been raised. As far back as 1989 when much of the current plastic surgery technology was in its infancy, 44 year-old Toni Sullivan, also a real estate agent, died two days after undergoing liposuction performed by a
Toronto
surgeon.
A subsequent inquest recommended the
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons define and regulate the difference between plastic and cosmetic surgery.
The
Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario has launched an investigation into Stryland's death.
Thinking of having plastic or cosmetic surgery?courtesy
Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
There is no foolproof way to choose a plastic surgeon or to guarantee your results. However, there are a few basics which can help you to decide:
1. Find out if your prospective surgeon is a member of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons. To be a member of this society guarantees that your surgeon has the proper training required to perform Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
2. Check with your provincial college of physicians and surgeons to see whether the surgeon is licensed and whether disciplinary action has been taken against him/her.
3. Verify credentials and training. Many cosmetic surgeons advertise they are "board-certified." But requirements vary greatly depending on which professional board is cited. In Canada, only the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons certifies physicians and surgeons in medical specialties, you can
search for yours here.
4. Ask the surgeon how often he or she performs the procedure you want and what the complication rates are.
5. Ask surgeons whether they have hospital admitting privileges in case of complications after surgery. Call the hospital to verify the information. If the doctor has an in-office operating suite, ask if it is certified.
6. Ask family physicians or other doctors knowledgeable about the local medical community what their opinion of your prospective surgeon is. Also, get a checkup from your family doctor to see if you have any health problems that might make cosmetic surgery risky.
7. Canadian physicians and surgeons carry medical malpractice insurance through the Canadian Medical Protective Association.
8. Don't feel pressured to agree to more procedures than you want, regardless of the price.
9. Be wary of the surgeon who "guarantees" satisfaction or minimizes the risks or recovery time involved.
10. Ask if the person giving the anesthesia is properly certified.
11. Read the patient consent form carefully before signing it. Ask what steps the surgeon will take if complications occur or further surgery is needed and what type of follow-up care will be given. Be thorough when discussing your expectations with your doctor. Proper communication before surgery tends to result in greater satisfaction.
12. Most importantly, feel comfortable with the surgeon you have selected. Hopefully you will not have a complication and things will run smoothly. However, should you have a complication, you want to know that this surgeon will pay close attention to you to see you through it. You might want to ask your prospective surgeon what he/she would do if you suffered one of the complications they describe when they talk about the surgery. If they do not even mention complications, you might want to take a closer look.
What is the difference between Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery?
Plastic surgery encompasses both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. One important item to note: Only physicians who hold a certificate in Plastic Surgery are "Plastic Surgeons". The rule doesn't always apply to the term "Cosmetic Surgeon", so it is not unusual to see dermatologists, dentists or other doctors presenting themselves as cosmetic surgeons.
While the mere term "Cosmetic Surgeon" should not be considered a red flag, you should always verify that you are getting what you think you are getting. If you want a surgeon who is certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery either by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, make sure you verify that fact by contacting your provincial college of physicians and surgeons or the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Cosmetic Procedures: Cosmetic surgery is taking someone from the realm of normal to the realm of the ideal. Some cosmetic procedures are: Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), Blepharoplasty - Eyelid Surgery, Breast Enlargement (Augmentation Mammaplasty), Breast Lift, Chemical Peel, Dermabrasion, Facelift, Forehead Lift, Hair Replacement, Liposuction, Nose Surgery - Rhinoplasty, Otoplasty - Surgery of the Ear and Spider Vein treatment.
Reconstructive Procedures: Reconstructive surgery is taking someone from the realm of clearly abnormal to within the realm of normal. Some examples of reconstructive procedures include: Breast Reconstruction, Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty), Cleft Lip and Palate, Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction), Hand Surgery, Scar Revision, Skin Cancer Surgery and Tissue Expansion.