California’s new law preventing doctors from performing cosmetic surgery without a proper physical exam goes into effect December 31, 2009.

This law determines that an appropriate physical examination be concluded within thirty days of a scheduled procedure with a written clearance from a licensed medical doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant before the cosmetic surgery is performed.

There is concern that this law will do little to improve public safety. Reputable cosmetic surgeons have always checked their patients medical history and have conducted thorough physical exams prior to doing surgery.

This law was named after Donda West, the mother of song artist Kanye West, who died a day later after receiving cosmetic surgery for multiple procedures including: tummy tuck, breast augmentation and liposuction. The autopsy report showed Donda West died form a pre-existing coronary artery disease that was exasperated as a result of post operative factors.