I recently had a consultation for a tummy tuck & breast lift & the surgeon said his nurse helps do the stitches. Not sure if he was referring to internal stitches or closing stitches as didn’t think to ask at the time but wondering if this is common or should the surgeon be the one doing them?
November 14, 2023
Answer: #Post-Pregnancy Procedures Hi Almost all plastic surgeons have an assistant (which may be a doctor or nurse) that does assisting which includes some of the skin stitching. It usually does not include the deep stitches. Some surgeons train (and pay extra for) their nurses specifically so the operation goes more smoothly and the surgeons individual practices are more precise. It is a common practice.RegardsDamien
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November 14, 2023
Answer: #Post-Pregnancy Procedures Hi Almost all plastic surgeons have an assistant (which may be a doctor or nurse) that does assisting which includes some of the skin stitching. It usually does not include the deep stitches. Some surgeons train (and pay extra for) their nurses specifically so the operation goes more smoothly and the surgeons individual practices are more precise. It is a common practice.RegardsDamien
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 29, 2020
Answer: Should surgeon be doing all of the suturing during my surgery It is very common for surgeons to utilize an assistant for surgery. A competent surgical assist is essential to both help the surgeon perform the procedure as well as decrease the operative times for procedures. Decreased operative time is always a good thing for patient safety issues, and less time in the OR translates to possible financial savings for the patient as well.The surgical assist will usually only do what the surgeon feels is appropriate and safe. Simple suturing is certainly within the realm of a competent, experienced first assistant and no need to worry. The scar will look as nice as if the surgeon did this part of the procedure himself. Your surgeon most likely will be performing "internal" suturing so that all the tissues safely approximated and properly aligned, making the surgical assistant's suturing a simple and safe task.However, This scenario can be a completely different story if one has their surgery in the highly discounted, high volume cosmetic centers in some areas of the US where super discount prices & high volume of surgery is the basis of their business model. These places place profit over patient safety and quality of outcome. If the price of the surgical procedure is markedly cheaper than most surgeons for the apparent same services, beware: in these super discounted practices the surgical assist may be doing most of the case, if not the entire case, and the surgeon of record is simply shuffling the patient's paperwork, not actually performing the procedure. Unsettling I know, but true. Do your homework , ask questions so that you feel completely at ease. There is no "discount" price a person can place on their well being
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
August 29, 2020
Answer: Should surgeon be doing all of the suturing during my surgery It is very common for surgeons to utilize an assistant for surgery. A competent surgical assist is essential to both help the surgeon perform the procedure as well as decrease the operative times for procedures. Decreased operative time is always a good thing for patient safety issues, and less time in the OR translates to possible financial savings for the patient as well.The surgical assist will usually only do what the surgeon feels is appropriate and safe. Simple suturing is certainly within the realm of a competent, experienced first assistant and no need to worry. The scar will look as nice as if the surgeon did this part of the procedure himself. Your surgeon most likely will be performing "internal" suturing so that all the tissues safely approximated and properly aligned, making the surgical assistant's suturing a simple and safe task.However, This scenario can be a completely different story if one has their surgery in the highly discounted, high volume cosmetic centers in some areas of the US where super discount prices & high volume of surgery is the basis of their business model. These places place profit over patient safety and quality of outcome. If the price of the surgical procedure is markedly cheaper than most surgeons for the apparent same services, beware: in these super discounted practices the surgical assist may be doing most of the case, if not the entire case, and the surgeon of record is simply shuffling the patient's paperwork, not actually performing the procedure. Unsettling I know, but true. Do your homework , ask questions so that you feel completely at ease. There is no "discount" price a person can place on their well being
Helpful 1 person found this helpful