A Boost for Liposuction Safety
In January of next year, a new law will go into effect making liposuction safer in the state of Florida. According to the Sun Sentinel, in late April of this year Governor Rick Scott signed legislation prohibiting liposuction from being performed in unregulated doctors’ offices.
We join the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Board of Medicine in applauding the new law. We strongly agree that whether it’s performed in Florida or right here in New York, liposuction should always be done in a surgery center or a hospital that is inspected and approved regularly by a recognized accreditation body.
Why? Professional accreditation organizations require that certain standards must be met, most relating to safety. Members of the medical staff are required to be trained in lifesaving techniques, for example, and modern lifesaving equipment must be on hand.
There are a variety of reputable accreditation organizations. One many ambulatory surgery centers use is the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. We perform surgery in our Manhattan plastic surgery center accredited by the Joint Commission—the same organization that certifies hospitals across the nation. The Gold Seal of Approval our facility has received assures our New York liposuction patients that it has undergone—and passed—an exhaustive evaluation by seasoned examiners. It also indicates that we’re committed to ongoing review and to continually striving to take patient care and safety to new levels.
As cosmetic surgery becomes more popular, it’s increasingly fertile ground for those looking to make a buck. That’s why USA Today reported in 2010 that procedures are becoming “cheaper, faster, scarier” in the hands of some doctors and clinic personnel. The article by Jayne O’Donnell related stories of procedures done in non-accredited facilities with disastrous results. The examples used to illustrate O’Donnell’s message all came from Florida. She noted that many critics feel that the boundaries of cosmetic surgery are being pushed to near “commoditization” levels and quoted one Florida lawyer likening some clinics to “fast food courts.”
Cosmetic surgery is typically very safe, and it tends to become safer over the years with modern technological advances and a growing body of experience on the part of well-trained plastic surgeons. But no surgical procedure is 100% without risk, not even minor surgery. That’s why most plastic surgeons are dismayed when clinics that are long on marketing and short on patient care crop up.
If you’re considering a cosmetic procedure, safeguard your health and happiness by:
- Seeking a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
- Researching your surgeon’s background with your state’s medical board
- Understanding terms related to certification and accreditation
- Ensuring that your procedure will be performed in an accredited facility
- Asking questions about potential risks and how emergencies are handled
If you’re thinking about having liposuction in New York, we hope you will come in for a consultation with us. We believe you will be pleased with what we have to offer, not just in terms of our experience and approach to working with our patients, but with our credentials, accreditation and safety record as well. Call our Park Avenue office a call at 212-570-6080.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
