That's a great question, and it's smart that you're weighing your options carefully. Both teaching institutions and private practices have their strengths, but they serve slightly different priorities. If you choose a teaching institution, you're going to a setting where safety is a central focus. These hospitals are typically affiliated with universities and have strict oversight, protocols, and a large team involved in your care. Your procedure will often involve residents or fellows who are doctors who are in surgical training, working under the supervision of experienced, board-certified attending surgeons. While the attending surgeon is ultimately responsible, it's important to know that some aspects of your care may be performed or assisted by trainees. This can be a very safe environment because of the multiple layers of checks and supervision. However, because it’s also an educational setting, the emphasis may not always be on achieving the most refined aesthetic outcome. Teaching hospitals often focus more on function, safety, and standard technique, but there may be less emphasis on tailoring the results to a highly individualized or artistic level, which many patients seek in cosmetic procedures like a body lift. On the other hand, private practice, especially one run by a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring, is often where you'll find a more personalized approach. In this setting, the focus is generally on both safety and aesthetics. Surgeons in private practice build their reputations on consistently achieving beautiful, natural-looking results, and they typically perform every part of your surgery themselves. They also have more freedom to use advanced techniques that may not be part of a teaching institution’s standard protocol. So, in short, a teaching institution is a very safe and structured option, often at a lower cost, and ideal if your top priority is medical oversight and affordability. A private practice may offer a more customized aesthetic result, with a higher degree of surgical finesse, especially when working with a surgeon who has extensive experience in body contouring. Ultimately, the "best" choice depends on your priorities — safety, aesthetics, cost, or surgeon continuity. Best of luck in acheiving your journey!