The Battle For Your Flesh Between Plastic Surgeons and Dermatologists.

OKEMOS, Mich. - May 13, 2013 - PRLog -- A recent study from Florida (Dermatol. Surg. 2008; 34:285-91) suggests that office based surgery is safe when performed by dermatologists. The study looked at 10 years of complication and death reports from Florida and 6 years from Alabama.

While the statistics may not seem to be applicable, they could be used to thwart legislative attempts to limit certain office procedures, such as liposuction, according to Dr. Brett Coldiron, the author of the study.

The apparent fallout of the study has brought the battle between plastic surgeons and dermatologists into the limelight, as there is current effort underway by plastic surgery experts to limit the types of procedures that dermatologists can perform in an office setting.

For Dr. Marcy Street, a board certified dermatologist in Okemos Michigan, and the nation’s first African American female MOHS surgeon in the country, the comparison between dermatology and plastic surgery doesn’t pass the smell test. ‘The comparison between the two types of practices isn’t really a comparison at all’ she explains, ‘because the practices are so different. There can be a bit of overlap between the two, but it is exceedingly minor in my opinion. We dermatologists have roots in internal medicine along with specific surgical skills that are confined more toward straightforward surgeries for things like moles, skin cancer removal and other ‘outpatient’ skin surgeries.

The battle may rage on despite the vast differences in the two types of practices. One school of thought argues that plastic surgeons are hurting, and as a result, need to include far more less invasive procedures than they have traditionally. As technology grows, there could be a bit more crossover, but according to Dr. Street, the crossover in plastic surgery would remain minor.

Marcy L. Street, M.D. is a board-certified, Mayo Clinic trained dermatologist, is also a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon.  She is an expert on skin cancer screening and treatment.  Her highly respected group practice, Doctor’s Approach Dermatology and Laser Center, based in Okemos, Michigan, focuses on medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. The clinic has offered laser, acne, skin cancer prevention treatments and other medical skin care services since 1992.
Visit the website: www.DrsApproach.com.