Liposuction in a doctor's office?

My doctor’s office is medi-care certified and he said he could perform my liposuction there, instead of in a hospital. Is this safe?

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14 answers to “Liposuction in a doctor's office?”

A: Sometimes Liposuction in a doctor's office is OK

John P. Di Saia, MD

Hello, Liposuction can be performed in an office when the aspirate (the material to be removed) is small. For larger cases, an accredited surgical facility (SurgiCenter) is best. It is a matter of keeping the surgical sites clean. Small areas can be done in an appropriately-equipped office. For larger cases,... more

A: There are many safe locations for Liposuction

Brian K. Brzowski, MD

If you have faith in your doctor, and he or she is a board certified plastic surgeon operating in a certified facility, you are doing everything you can to minimize your potential for problems. Of course, it is critical that you are in good health. If not, perhaps an elective cosmetic surgical procedure is not... more

A: Liposuction in an office-based facility

Steven Wallach, MD

I perform a lot of surgery in an accredited office based facility. However, I limit this to very healthy patients. If the patient has any significant medical issues, I perform it in the hospital.

A: Liposuction procedures performed in a surgical center vs. hospital

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Trust. Choosing a plastic surgeon is as much about trust as it is about credentials.  Go with your hunch before committing to a particular procedure.  A well-qualified and board certified plastic surgeon will not cut corners to acheive results.  Liposuction procedures are generally safe with... more

A: Liposuction in a hospital, or in a doctor's office? Check Credentials

Michael Law, MD

Liposuction, as you may have heard in the popular media, is the most commonly performed surgical procedure each year in the United States. Here's a statistic that you may not have heard: the majority of physicians performing liposuction in the United States are not plastic surgeons; in fact, many do not have... more

A: No

Brent Moelleken, MD

Liposuction should be performed in an accredited surgical facility, not an office.  Many patients refer to an accredited surgical facility next to a doctor's office as the doctor's office, but there is a difference. Accreditation of the surgical center means the surgery center is safe to perform surgery... more

A: A thorough discussion with your surgeon is a must

Ronald Shelton, MD

The safety of tumescent liposuction in an office setting is well established since its inception two decades ago. Risks exist in the hospital and ambulatory surgical setting as well as the office and thorough discussion of the procedure and its risks must be held with you and your surgeon.

A: Bedside Manner Doesn't Matter: It's All About the Credentials

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD

There are two major important factors to consider when choosing to have Liposuction or any other surgical procedure. First, what are the qualifications of your surgeon? Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the gold-standard for credentialing to perform cosmetic surgery of all... more

A: LOW volume liposuction is absolutely safe in a truly accredited office operatin room.

George J. Beraka, MD

See Dr. Singer's answer for a lot of great information. Check the facility credentials and make sure the anesthesiologist is board certified. If you are going to have less than 5000 milliliters removed with liposuction, by all means do it in the office. Anything more than this is considered HIGH volume... more

A: Check the credentials of the surgeons facility carefully.

David A. Dreyfuss, MD

I do not need to repeat the excellent answers from the previous surgeons. Make sure you fully evaluate both the doctors credentials and that of his facility. Also ask to speak with former patients who have had surgery in his office. Meeting with the nurse manager or OR director during your tour is very... more

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