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What Do Think of a Physician Assistant (PA) Performing Liposculpture?

asked 1 year ago by LookeLoo in PA
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 413 times
Tags: physician assistant, qualifications

There is a new facility in San Diego,Calif. They offer very competitive prices,such as $750.00 per area,which is all inclusive. Lipo of the Love Handles would cost ~$1,895.00. This is performed by a PA who's been doing them fulltime for the last 5 years. What are you thoughts on a PA versus a surgeon perfoming this precedure?

13 answers to What Do Think of a Physician Assistant (PA) Performing Liposculpture?

+1

A Physician Assistant's Acting as an Independent Surgeon without Supervision is Illegal

A Physician Assistant's Acting as an Independent Surgeon without supervision is Illegal and that goes for Liposuction. It is illegal for a non-physician to practice medicine without supervision in general and this PA you describe is guilty of practicing medicine without a licence at least in the state of California (and I suspect just about all the other states). You need a MD or DO licence to do this type of surgery. Contact your local medical board. Below is the link to the... more
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

There are too many problems with procedures performed by poorly trained assistants.

Seek the most respected and skilled liposuction surgeon in your area to do your procedure. A physicians assistant does not have the depth of training and understanding that a board certified physician with extensive liposuction experience would have. It may even be illegal for a physician's assistant to do liposuction in your state. Don't mess around with second rate care. You only have one body, don't risk being disfigured for life! Bad surgery is... more
Mark Taylor, MD

Salt Lake City Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Physician assistant performing liposcuplture?

It is possible that you may be mistaken in your facts, since it is probably not legal for a PA to do this if a true surgical procedure is involved. Since this forum verifies the training and the experience of the physicians who respond, it is doubtful that there is anyone here who would think that it is a good idea to have such a procedure by a person who is not as well trained.
Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

PA's are Physician Assistants not Surgeons

Whenever you are considering body-contouring, I would recommend that you seek out treatment by a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in liposuction. A physician assistant may be an integral part of the surgical team, but they are not qualified to work independently as a surgeon. Whenever you consider cosmetic surgery, price alone should not be the determining factor in choosing a provider. Look at qualifications and experience rather than at price... more
Steven L. Ringler, MD

Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon
+1

Physician Assistant performing liposuction

I also don't think this is legal?!?! Please be careful. Do not go somewhere just because of the low price - this is your body and this is actual surgery! If you do research regarding liposuction surgeries that have gone poorly with the patient having horrible complications (even death), you will see that usually these are cases of "non board certified plastic surgeons" performing these procedures. There are so many potential risks and complications associated with... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

What Do Think of a Physician Assistant (PA) Performing Liposculpture?

I am not sure if this legal. Physician Assistant are suppose to assist not perform surgery and a physician must be the responsible person who oversees the PA. Although some surgeons do allow their assistant to do certain procedures during surgery such suturing skin etc., it is not legal unless the assistant has a First Assist certificate or is a physician.
Mohsen Tavoussi, MD, DO

Huntington Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

No I would not want a Physician Assistant to perform any surgery on their own

There are many unqualified specialties and professions who are performing plastic surgery today. A board certified plastic surgeon undergoes two residencies - one in gerneral surgery or ear nose and throat surger (ENT) and then a three year plastic surgery residency. This is all after medical school. Even after all that training I would not recommend that you go to a person until they have some experience.
Hilton Becker, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

You answered your own question

Liposculpture is liposuction.  Liposuction is Surgery, and you've just asked, "Do I want to have this done by a Physician's Assistant or a Physician?"    If I were you, I'd get it done by a surgeon, who by definition is a physician.     Also, I'd check the credentials of this place that is allowing a PA to perform liposuction.   It is not only dangerous, but illegal. 
Charles K. Lee, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposculpture performed by a physician's assistant

If by Liposculpture, you mean a surgical procedure where an incision is made and fat is surgically removed, No, a physician's assistant should not be performing this procedure.  It should only be performed by a licensed physician who is properly trained in liposuction/Liposculpture.
Vincent D. Lepore, MD

San Jose Plastic Surgeon
+1

What Do Think of a Physician Assistant (PA) Performing Liposculpture?

Crazy! This would be a felony in Florida. Would you want a PA implanting a cataract for you? Of course not. Be careful.
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction by a Physician Assistant NO!

Liposuction is too complex of a surgery to be performed by a Physicians Assistant. I agree that you get what you pay for. There are many Machines and Devices being sold to non surgically trained M.D.'s that promise to replace traditional Tumescent Liposuction. None of them work as well. Be wary of any device offered to get rid of fat without Surgery. Freezing, ultasound, radiofrequency, lipodissolve are a few names. Fixing the uneven, lumpy, bumpy results used by unqulified physicians... more
Michael Tomcik, MD

San Ramon Dermatologist
+1

A Physicain Assistant has only 2 years of training in all of medicine

A Physician Assistant has only 2 years of training in all of medicine. Regardless of proctoring from a physician to  train a PA to do liposuction this hardly compares with 9-13 yeras of education and training of a board certified cosmetic surgeon. Buyer Beware!!
Edward Lack, MD

Chicago Dermatologist
+1

Unfortunately, You get what you pay for in liposuction surgery.

Any time you pay less that $4500-5000 a procedure in  liposuction, there is a catch which is usually poor quality results from less qualified or experienced docs.  You tend to get what you pay for in liposuctions so don't go cheap when you want the good results.  Sincerely, David Hansen,MD
David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

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