According to the National Health Examination Survey, 154.7 million Americans are overweight. That’s approximately two out of every three people in this country.
This fact holds many ramifications for our culture. For example, it means we have higher rates of weight-related health problems, such as cardiovascular disease. We also suffer more injuries at work and need to remain away from our jobs in order to recover for longer periods of time.
It also means most people in the United States are interested in losing weight. Naturally, this leads to a higher level of scams. This fact was confirmed this month when television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz was called before Congress to discuss his TV show.
CBS News reports that Senators questioned why Dr. Oz continues to tout dietary supplements as “miracle cures” for fat, despite the fact that he knows otherwise. Oz made several attempts to defend the products that he promotes before saying simply his show is about hope. Unfortunately, it seems at least part of his show is about false hope.
The Real Problem Comes Down to a Gap in Regulation
Although it seems unethical for a medical doctor to promote products that are not scientifically backed, the ordeal exposes a more important problem: namely, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has little control over dietary supplements.
The truth is, supplement companies do not need to gain FDA approval before taking their products to market. Furthermore, the law allows these companies to withhold information from both the FDA and the public. Now, Congress is taking strides to give more power to the agency to ensure all products that make it to consumers aren’t dangerous.
If you’re interested in losing small but persistent pockets of fat, let us help. At Shafer Plastic Surgery in New York, we offer several types of liposuction that are clinically proven to remove unwanted fat. We can help you reach your body-contouring goals with safe procedures that are FDA approved.
To learn more about liposuction or another type of cosmetic surgery, please visit ShaferPlasticSurgery.com, or call us at 212.888.7770.
The FDA Regulates the Cosmetic Surgery Industry
The truth of the matter is, there is no magic pill that will allow you to lose weight without diet and exercise. However, cosmetic surgery allows doctors to physically remove fat from certain areas of your body, helping you with stubborn problem areas that are exercise-resistant.
The best part? These procedures are FDA approved. For example, SmartLipo was the first laser-assisted lipo to gain FDA approval for the removal of fat.
At Shafer Plastic Surgery in New York, we offer a variety of body-contouring procedures, such as lipo, SmartLipo and tummy tucks. No matter which type of cosmetic surgery you’re interested in, we encourage you to contact us to arrange a consultation with a double-board certified surgeon.
To set up your meeting in New York, please call 212.888.7770.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the National Health Examination Survey, approximately 154.7 million Americans are overweight, which equates to about two out of every three people in the United States.
Being overweight leads to higher rates of weight-related health problems such as cardiovascular disease. Additionally, overweight individuals tend to suffer more injuries at work and require longer recovery times, impacting their ability to maintain consistent employment.
Because a large portion of the U.S. population is interested in losing weight, there is a high demand for weight loss solutions. This demand creates opportunities for scams, including the promotion of unproven dietary supplements, as highlighted by the scrutiny of Dr. Mehmet Oz's endorsements.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has limited control over dietary supplements. Supplement companies do not need FDA approval before marketing their products and can withhold information from both the FDA and the public, creating a regulatory gap that Congress is currently working to address.
Shafer Plastic Surgery in New York offers several types of liposuction and body-contouring procedures that are clinically proven and FDA approved to safely remove unwanted fat, helping patients achieve their body-contouring goals.
Yes, cosmetic surgery procedures for fat removal, such as SmartLipo, have received FDA approval. SmartLipo was the first laser-assisted liposuction technique to gain FDA approval for fat removal, ensuring safety and efficacy.
No, there is no magic pill that can help you lose weight without proper diet and exercise. While dietary supplements often claim to be miracle cures, these claims are not scientifically backed. Cosmetic surgery remains a reliable option for removing stubborn fat.
Shafer Plastic Surgery offers a variety of body-contouring procedures including traditional liposuction, SmartLipo (laser-assisted liposuction), and tummy tucks, all performed by double-board certified surgeons in New York.
To schedule a consultation at Shafer Plastic Surgery in New York, interested individuals can call 212.888.7770 to arrange a meeting with a double-board certified surgeon and discuss their cosmetic surgery options.
The main issue is that Dr. Oz promoted dietary supplements as miracle cures despite lacking scientific evidence, highlighting the broader problem of insufficient FDA regulation over dietary supplements and the prevalence of false hope in weight loss marketing.
