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Thoughts About Having Cosmetic Surgery (Face Lift) at a Residency Program?

asked 3 months ago by Maggiev in Atlanta, GA
Latest answer by Jamil Asaria, MD
Question viewed 222 times
Tags: opinion, training

Thoughts About Having Cosmetic Surgery (Face Lift) at a Residency Program?

19 answers to Thoughts About Having Cosmetic Surgery (Face Lift) at a Residency Program?

+2

Residency Program Surgery

I would imagine that every plastic surgeon who answered your question performed some type of cosmetic surgery as a resident in a "resident cosmetic clinic." I know that I did several facelifts in my cosmetic clinic when I was training. One was actually a re-do from another local area doctor who just didn’t get it right the first time which shows that being older isn’t necessarily always better. While I agree that experience is lacking in a training... more
Mahlon Kerr, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift

Generally, you get what you pay for. If you have your procedure done within the confines of a residency program, you definitely need to ask questions about how much of the procedure will be done by whom, and how much supervision will be given during your surgery. -Dr. Jamil Asaria
Jamil Asaria, MD

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Face lift by resident

As you may imagine it will be a bit of a gamble. If you are a good candidate for surgery (healthy skin, good bone structure) and if you are lucky with the resident or fellow you get assigned to, then the results can be nice at a fraction of the cost you would have spent on an experienced surgeon. The patient in the link below was done by me during my residency, in fact the very first face lift I did on my own, and she had a decent result. Good luck! more
Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

How important is it to have the best facelift possible?

Dear Maggiev: You have to be realistic. As you know, the reason why people have a cosmetic surgery facelift in a residency program is because generally there are financial considerations. Having it done by a professor is one thing, but if it is going to be done by a resident or fellow is another. Of course, this is how we all developed our skill and experience, but… and it is a big “but”… our patients understood that their surgery was being... more
Robert Kotler, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Should you have cosmetic surgery at a residency program?

Should you have cosmetic surgery at a residency program? This is a great question. The answer depends upon the surgery you choose and who will be performing your surgery. At most university hospitals, you can choose a board-certified attending plastic surgeon to perform your procedure. This is the person who trains the residents and fellows. If you choose to have cosmetic surgery with an attending surgeon at an academic hospital, you should ask who will be performing your surgery. Resident... more
Stephen Weber, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.lonetreefacial.com

+1

Thoughts About Having Cosmetic Surgery (Face Lift) at a Residency Program?

I was the director of Facial Plastic Surgery for a major medical school for about 10 years and the comment about "cosmetic surgeons" is misleading at best and quite self serving IMHO. Regardless of the type of residency program a Face Lift performed by a resident surgeon (I personally did 40 Face Lifts and 100 Rhinoplasties as a resident surgeon before continuing my training during two fellowships in the field) are still a quantum level less sophisticated than what... more
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Resident cases

Thank you for the question. Plastic surgery residents are surgeons prior to residency (unlike so called "cosmetic surgeons" who do a weekend course to learn about procedures and never actually train). Just as in practice, there are talented residents and there are average residents. Since they are actually assisting an attending surgeon, just find out who that person is and you will be safe.
Jacob Freiman, MD

Miami Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift at a residency cosmetic clinic

It really depends on where you go and who you see. I have been a faculty member at an institution that has a teaching program. I also have my own separate cosmetic plastic surgery practice. The honest answer is this: Just like not all doctors are the same, not all residents are the same either. There are some physicians-in-training that are more advanced and skilled for their level than others. You want to get someone good. Don't just take the... more
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

+1

Don't do this simply to save a few dollars.

Yes these residents may be well supervise. However, you very well be the first patient that the resident has performed a facelift on. Assisting attending surgeons on other facelift cases is not the same as doing the case yourself. If you have no financial option but to follow this course, then perhaps. This is your face we are discussing.
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Having surgery done by residents in training

Residents in training typically have a lot of direct supervision while doing the procedure so the results should be good. About the only thing I can say is that the length of time to perform the procedure might be longer as they are not as experienced.
Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

lvcosmeticsurgery.com

+1

Personal Option

This is a personal choice to make. These residents are well supervised, but lack the experience. This is the reason that there is no cost or minimal cost. There are always tradeoffs. good luck.
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

+1

Simple truths about saving money in cosmetic surgery

Hi there- There's no magic or rocket science here, and I think your common sense is already telling you what you need to know, but here's my two cents.... Just like anything else where your experience and the quality of the service outcome you get depends on a professional, the professional's education, training, experience, and skill/talent are going to be critical... That is the simple truth about why the best professionals (the best lawyers, the best accountants, the... more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift Surgery At A Residency Program

No black and white answer here. I have seen residents more artistic than practicing surgeons, but the reverse is more likely. And there is no substitute for experience in facelift surgery, which no resident has. There are programs where the attending surgeon may be supervising as many as 4 rooms at a time and others where he is in only one room. I think if you can be assured the attenting doctor is scrubbed and by your side the entire time you are in the OR, then it's probably OK. I... more
Ronald V. DeMars, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drdemarsmd.com

+1

Resident training clinic and facelift

Every single plastic surgeon was a resident sometime somewhere. And the vast majority of currently practicing plastic surgeons gained some experience through a resident clinic. Most resident training programs offer resident clinics so that the senior or chief resident can gain experience taking care of and operating on his/her own patients -- all under the supervision of an attending surgeon. The benefit for the consumer is a lower-priced surgery; the downside for the... more
Anureet K. Bajaj, MD

Oklahoma City Plastic Surgeon

www.bajajplasticsurgery.com

+1

Facelift in a residency program

We all got our start as plastic surgeons performing procedures in the clinic. That said, the programs are no longer giving it away for free and you have to weigh the reduced costs against having an inexperienced surgeon, although under supervision. I see many patients who have gone this route and are then disturbed or surprised when the doctor who has operated on them is no longer accessible--because he or she has moved away to go into private practice.
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Saving on facelift

University training programs might offer facelift at a reduced cost in order give residents practice. There is a potential value, though the experienced attending will not be there for you. The young surgeon may rotate on in training as well and no longer be able to see you if you need help. Experience is expensive, but remember it is your face. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

It is your only face!

It is absolutely not wise to do a facelift at a residency program. These well intentioned young surgeons have no experience with this compared to a seasoned private practitioner. There is no way the result would be as good.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Thoughts About Having Cosmetic Surgery at a Residency Program?Anwr:

Uh.....I wouldn't, sorry to say....Most of us received the start of our cosmetic training away from the medical center, usually with a very well known Aesthetic Surgeon in Private Practice....if that is the case, then maybe....
John J. Corey, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is it really worth saving a small amount of money?

There are some things that are OK to skimp on: buy generic, no-name brands when you can clip coupons pay your neighbor's high school student to was your car But do you really want to risk your face to someone who has watched a few facelifts and hasn't performed any themselves just to save money? You should be able to answer that question yourself.
Richard H. Fryer, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

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