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MIAMI, Feb 10, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- There are no obstacles in the way of Florida's 90-day ban on a controversial cosmetic procedure, the Miami Herald reported Tuesday.
The moratorium on an in-office combination of tummy tucks and liposuction surgery starts Wednesday, when regulations call for the procedures to be done at least 14 days apart.
Since July 2002, eight people died after surgeries were performed in Florida doctors' offices.
Three of the cases involved combination liposuction and tummy tucks. The others included a dental extraction, a breast augmentation, a face-lift, a liposuction with a fat transfer and an abortion.
Two of the deaths occurred at the Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale. One was a tummy tuck and breast reduction; the other was a face-lift, according to state records.
Statewide, the greatest number of deaths have come from the combination tummy tucks and liposuctions. The Florida Board of Medicine, which issued the moratorium, said the two procedures must be separated by at least 14 days under the new rules.
Officials said they expect the ban to begin without any legal challenges.
Copyright 2004 by United Press International.
