Safe to Have Breast Lift Done by a Graduate Fellow?

asked 2 years ago by josi02 in queens,ny
Latest answer by Douglas L. Gervais, MD
Question viewed 633 times
Tags: breasts, female, price, safety

I'm planning to have a breast lift done in New York. The price is affordable but I'm afraid to have it done there because the surgery will be performed by a graduate fellow who has completed his residency. Do you think its safe?

10 answers to Safe to Have Breast Lift Done by a Graduate Fellow?

Breast lift done by a graduate fellow

As a former New Yorker, I am very familiar with the Plastic Surgery academic scene in New York. Depending on WHICH training program you go to - it is as safe to have surgery by a "Fellow" as it may be in private practice. Personally, I do not think that being operated on by Plastic Surgery residents is the same as being operated on by Plastic Surgery Fellows. BUT if the supervising attending surgeon is in the OR working with the fellow and if the attending surgeon can be easily... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Plastic surgery performed by fellows.

Hi! 1) I help to train cosmetic surgery fellows at Lenox Hill Hospital, and I can tell you that it is a very safe environment. The fellows have good supervision and are well trained. 2) You are much better off going to a fellow in a clinic than going to a private surgeon who charges a suspiciously low fee.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Caveat Emptor

Although price may be compelling, you are placing yourself in the hands of a student and not a master. If you choose to go this way, be sure that you have the assurance that the attending (experienced) surgeon will be in the room at all times to assure quality and safety. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Surgery by a graduate fellow

Hi Josi, The scenario you describe is one I was in a few years ago. After I finished my residency training, I did an extra year of aesthetic fellowship training at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. We had a thriving, relatively low cost clinic, in which patients received high quality surgery from surgeons getting experience above and beyond what most plastic surgeons obtain. It was safe and mutually beneficial for the patients and the plastic surgery fellows.

Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Should you have surgery by a gradulate fellow?

The situation you describe is often a good way to save some money. The termonology can be a bit confusing though so here is how it works: Plastic surgeons train in a residency program after medical school, which typically consists of a few years of genreal surgery then plastic. So the residents as part of their training assist and then perform the surgeries, under the supervision of the attending surgeons. After residency, they can either enter practice or take additionall training in the... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Cost versus Experience for Breast Lift

Hello, This is how I learned in residency with patients coming to my cosmetic clinic at decreased cost. The patients accepts the fact that the results should be pretty good but not as good as they might be in more experienced hands. In plastic surgery, if things are correct, patients pay for experience. As long as it is OK with you, it is OK. Examine the circumstances and supervision. Is there expert supervision available? There was where I trained.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Cost Versus Experience

The real question here is how much supervision the fellow will have by his attending surgeon and is the fellowship in an accredited program. We all had to start somewhere and these fellow run cosmetic clinics offer a great way for surgeons to hone their craft before they go out into private practice. The key to this model is that the patient is paying a much cheaper fee to have a qualified but much less experienced surgeon perform the surgery. Be sure the fellow has appropiate... more

Douglas L. Gervais, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lift by Graduate Fellow?

Thank you for the question. The fact that you are asking the question, suggests that you understand that there is a difference in experience and potential end results achieved by physicians in training. The difference between a physician in training versus a physician who has been in practice for many years comes down to a track record. If a plastic surgeon can show you specific experience with successful outcome of surgery you will have some peace of mind that he/she can... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Breast lift by a fellow

It is perfectly safe to have a fellow perform your breast surgery as long as an attending plastic surgeon is going to be there with him.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Lifting

Dear Josi02 All surgeons start as residents and then do extra training. The fellows (post resident trainees) are chosen based on their skills and temperment. If you are having surgery at an accredited program then you can be assured that the surgeon supervising the fellow will make sure that you have a good result. With Warm Regards, Trevor M Born MD