F/X “Nip/Tuck” Misrepresents the Specialty of Plastic Surgery

For Immediate Release: July 14, 2003

After having reviewed Episode 1 and 2 of the soon-to-air fictional series Nip/Tuck from the FX network, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has serious concerns about the show’s inappropriate representation of the practice of medicine and specialty of plastic surgery.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest plastic surgery organization and the foremost authority on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Both the ASPS mission and code of ethics state one purpose of the society is to promote “the highest standards of personal and professional conduct among plastic surgeons and physicians.” The FX show set to air this summer in no way represents the way in which qualified, professional and ethical plastic surgeons manage their practices or care for their patients.

Certainly the ASPS understands that a successful primetime television show needs entertainment and intrigue to boost ratings, but the society takes great offense at the spurious depiction of its medical specialty, which is dedicated to restoring and reshaping the human body. While the FX “drama” of the south Florida plastic surgery center is sensational, bordering on the absurd, it certainly is not realistic.

Members of the ASPS are board-certified physicians trained to be concerned care-givers, wound-care experts, problem solvers as well as artists and meticulous surgeons. The Society wants to reassure the public that Nip/Tuck does not in any way represent a realistic plastic surgery practice.

Excellence in plastic surgery through the highest quality patient care and safety as well as the advancement of the science of plastic surgery through research and education are core values of the ASPS and all its members. Unfortunately, in the first two episodes of Nip/Tuck, there is little, if any, of these values depicted. Because of that, the ASPS sees very little value to the show as it will be broadcast to the American public on July 22.

The ASPS urges anyone interested in learning more about plastic surgery or for referrals to a highly trained plastic surgeon, please call (888) 4-PLASTIC (1-888-475-2784) or visit www.plasticsurgery.org.

ASPS, founded in 1931, is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world and the foremost authority on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. For referrals to ABPS-certified plastic surgeons in your area and to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, call the ASPS at (888) 4-PLASTIC (1-888-475-2784) or visit www.plasticsurgery.org.

If you are interested in cosmetic surgery in the Metro Denver, Boulder, Colorado area, contact us or call 303-321-3210 to schedule a consultation.