Kim Kardashian Sues Plastic Surgeon

Kim Kardashian is planning to sue a plastic surgeon in Mexico for using her image without her consent on a billboard promoting his work.   

According to a news report, Dr. Victor Ramirez has used the reality tv star’s photos on a billboard posted in Mexicali, which is near the California border.  The advertisement involves a message saying “No arriesgue su belleza, ni su salud,” which translates as “Do not risk your beauty or your health.”

Meanwhile, the plastic surgeon has admitted that he did not ask for the star’s permission to use her photo; in fact, when gossip website TMZ called the doctor, he even said that he did not “speak to Kardashian and did not even know her number.”

Because the TV personality has long been associated with plastic surgery—despite her claims that she did not undergo any surgical procedure to improve her appearance—it is not surprising that some people will use her as an “example” of great cosmetic result.

While the star has previously admitted Botox injection, she adamantly claims that she did not undergo any plastic surgeries, particularly buttock augmentation, breastn enlargemet, and nose job.  In fact, she was quoted saying that “some women often go too far in their quest to retain their youthful appearance,” adding that she would think twice before going under the knife.

Kardashian has long the favorite of bloggers not just because of the controversies surrounding her but also due to her somewhat changing appearance.  For instance, her derriere is larger these days compared to previous years, resulting to rumors that she had butt implant surgery.

But in an attempt to disprove the plastic surgery rumors, Kardashian had X-rays done on an episode Keeping Up With The Kardashians to show that her curve is as natural as it gets.  However, some plastic surgeons said that it is possible to augment the backside by simply collecting fat from one area and then transferring it to the buttocks.

The reality TV star has also been rumored to have had breast augmentation, which she is also denying.  In fact, in an interview with ABC’s Cynthia McFadden, she admitted that if she takes her bra off, it is not surprising that someone would tell her that she need to get them done.

Kardashian attributed her great look to regular exercise and good make-up, although in a previous interview the star said that she is not dismissing the idea of having plastic surgery in the future. 

plastic surgery, plastic surgeons, eyelid lift, facelift

Being good-looking—but not particularly drop-dead-gorgeous—not only leads to personal pleasure.  According to several studies conducted over the past 20 years by researchers and economists, attractive individuals in general enjoy more economic opportunities than most homely-looking Janes and Joes.

One study even went further by stating that an American worker who was among the bottom rank in terms of looks—based on the assessment made by random observers—earned 10 to 15 percent less per year than someone with the same skills but happened to be in the top one-third.

Because of the advantages of looking good, especially in terms of employment, it is not surprising that many employees—particularly in the financial and corporate industry—are lured by cosmetic plastic surgery.  And no matter how much we deny our superficial side and claim that we are more than our instincts, one study has shown that if we see an attractive person look, or even take a quick glance at us, one area of our brain lights up under a CT scan.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons released a survey showing that in 2011, about 13.8 million cosmetic procedures, both surgical and minimally invasive, were performed in the US, an increased by 5 percent from previous year.  And for two years in a row, despite the decline in medical spending, aesthetic surgeries and non-surgical treatments have increased.

Because modern society is obsessed with youthful beauty, it is not surprising that eyelid lift and facelift were ranked in fourth and fifth place, respectively, in terms of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries in 2011.

The popularity of eyelid lift and facelift, along with other facial rejuvenation procedures, can be attributed to the new employment trend in which more workers postpone their retirement.  Many older workers who sought plastic surgery have cited job insecurity and their motivation to appear “competitive” to their superiors and younger workers.

Contrary to popular belief, the appearance of men—rather than women’s—has bigger impacts on their jobs.  On the other hand, beauty—or the lack of it—has more influenced on women’s opportunities in finding a mate.

However, improving one’s appearance does not necessarily entail that he or she should undergo plastic surgery.  There are non-invasive treatments such as laser skin resurfacing, Botox injection, dermal fillers, chemical peels which can also help people make themselves look and feel better.

But in some cases, a dash of confidence and good clothing—and perhaps huge sums of money and expensive cars—are enough to improve one’s appearance

Finding a Good Plastic Surgeon

Finding a good plastic surgeon is the best way to avoid or at least lower the risk of complications, deformity, and other aesthetic problems after surgery.  However, some patients are still choosing cheap procedures without even considering the risks they would face.

Meanwhile, these are some of the basic tips that would help patients choose a good plastic surgeon.

1.     Board certification is the most important thing.

Patients should take note that 48 states allow any doctor to practice plastic surgery.  And with the growing demand for cosmetic procedures, it is not surprising that even non-specialists are tempted to offer “services” they are not trained to do so.

However, common sense tells that a foot doctor is not someone who can effectively perform breast augmentation.

While there are many board certification bodies, the most prestigious and reliable is the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  In fact, members of this organization are the cream of the crop because they are required to pass a rigorous oral and written examination, continue their study, and take the test every 10 years.

2.     Check a surgeon’s record.

State’s medical board records any disciplinary action against a plastic surgeon.  Such information can be easily access through online, although some states require a person to make a letter of request beforehand.

People should pay close attention to any records of disciplinary action and settlements made by a plastic surgeon.  Also, they should make sure that their doctors are licensed to practice medicine within the state.

3.     Make sure the surgeon has hospital privileges.

Hospitals conduct background checks and any doctor who has no hospital privilege may not be the best one to perform plastic surgery which requires a high level of surgical skills and trainings.

Even if a cosmetic surgery is performed in an accredited surgical center, patients should still ask their surgeons if they have hospital privileges.

4.     The surgeon does not make far-fetched promises.

Any surgery comes with its own set of risks, in addition to the fact that it has limits.  For instance, rhinoplasty cannot recreate the nose of a patient’s celebrity idol because the changes are greatly affected by the underlying tissue, bone, and skin.

A good plastic surgeon is honest and does not make far-fetched promises to his patients.

5.     A good plastic surgeon will reject a bad candidate.

While money is a motivation for many people, a good plastic surgeon will decline to perform surgery to a patient who is a bad candidate.  This is because he believes that the safety of a person and his reputation as a doctor are far more important than money.