Groupon Smart Lipo Deal

asked 1 year ago by anon
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 2,408 times
Tags: discount, Groupon, price

Doctors: are you considering using Groupon to promote your practice? Do you think it's ethical? Why is/isn't a good thing. Will be using your answers in a blog post about this topic --- mellieb (blogger at RealSelf)

11 answers to Groupon Smart Lipo Deal

If you don't care what your results look like then Groupon Smart lipo deals are for you!

It is just absurd to see these lipo chains advertising groupon deals. The one on one doc/patient relationship is so important and is the basis of trust etc... We all advertise but there are ethical limits that we need to uphold ourselves.

David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Groupon Smart Lipo Deal is a Faustian "Deal"

Regarding: "Groupon Smart Lipo Deal Doctors: are you considering using Groupon to promote your practice? Do you think it's ethical? Why is/isn't a good thing. Will be using your answers in a blog post about this topic --- mellieb" The economy is down. Stresses are high. The world around us is smaller and more dangerous than ever. Uncertainty rules and is frightening. These are the times when every Plastic surgeon should take a deep breath and remember WHO they are... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Groupon deal

As Dr. Aldea eloquently put it, this kind of advertising is inappropriate and scandalous and devalues the importance of the relationship between a patient and a properly trained and ethical plastic surgeon. The implication is that you can have whatever you want regardless of your body's condition, from whomever you want regardless of their training or lack of training, for the lowest price possible. What a quintessential commentary on our society! The smart... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Groupon for surgery

While I only wish that I could have invested in the company from the beginning, I think that buying a discounted meal at a new restaurant, or getting a deal at say Best Buy is fine, but selling Medical services via Groupon reminds me of the guy who used to do the ads for "Crazy Eddies" who use to say very loudly "Our Prices are Insane!" I'm just not into that, and I think that it cheapens what we do.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction is a serious surgery and not to be done because a coupon is available

Deciding to have liposuction, a serious surgery, needs to involve a physician examining you and deciding if you are a surgical candidate and for you to decide if that surgeon is one that meets your criteria in physician selection. Having a coupon may create subconscious pressures to agree on having a procedure or to have it done by a particular physician which without this enticement you might decide differently.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Concerns about Groupon

Discounts in healthcare and medicine are not in themselves unethical (remember the HMO business models that promised more patients in return for lower physician payments?). However, if one person's discount for a procedure is based on another person undergoing a procedure also, then there may be inappropriate pressure or influence to have a procedure performed. Any large scale discounting structure needs to make sure it is independent for each patient and not affected by what others do.... more

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

SmartLipo via Groupon is a Dumb Idea, and Violates Board of Plastic Surgery Code of Ethics

Peter, Dumb idea. Unethical from the standpoint of "Selling" an invasive surgical procedure before having performed a physician's due diligence -- an in-person consultation. Hope this helps, Nick Slenkovich MD, FACS

Nick Slenkovich, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Group discounts "groupon" for plastic surgery

As good as a deal as it may sound, it undermines the importance of a good doctor-patient relationship and suggests it can be replaced by a bulk volume sale. This "discounts" the value of establishing communication between the doctor and patient and creates the impression that the deal is of greater significance in the decision making process. How do you give a coupon to one patient that is 5"6 inches and weighs 135 lbs with a small amount of fat on the outer thighs and... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Groupon for cosmetic surgery

The idea of discounts is not foreign in cosmetic surgery and is not considered unethical. However the problem with coupons that are purchased prior to use is that it is a promise, or at least an implied promise, that the coupon has value because the service or goods have been pre-purchased. This is not appropriate for cosmetic surgery since you must have a formal consultation and examination prior to determining if you are even a candidate for surgery. Cosmetic surgery is not an... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Groupon liposuction

If you needed open heart surgery, or neurosurgery - would you be looking for the lowest bidder? No, you would be looking for the best, most qualified surgeon and the best hospital around. Plastic surgery, including liposuction, is no different.

Thomas Fiala, MD
Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgeryinflorida.com

Groupon Smart Lipo Deal

I agree with all the posters. Plus it might be a rules violation in the code of ethics in the ASPS. In fact I'm sure it is. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski