Can registered nurses inject fat harvested by surgeons while the surgeon is there?

In our office only the MD will inject anything, from fillers to fat.  I have always performed my own injectable treatments for facial rejuvenation.

Some practices will allow nurses or technicians to perform facial fat grafting, but in my practice as an American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon, I perform the fat harvesting and fat transfer.  My patients seek me out because of my years of experience, training, education, certification, and aesthetic talent.  They do not expect the procedure to be performed by an RN.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  I recommend having only a board-certified surgeon inject fat grafts and not an assitant.  This is the way it is performed in my office.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

I recommend you see a board-certified doctor for fat injections. Keep in mind, fat transfer technique is important for successful fat transfer. I recommend water-assisted fat harvesting which gives pure fat to transfer and combine with platelet rich plasma (PRP) to get the most viable and sustainable fat cells. I combine with Sculptra, depending on area, to improve final results. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

This is only my opinion but I feel that injecting fat is similar to performing a surgical procedure and should only be done by the surgeon. Whether a registered nurse can or cannot legally inject fat is another issue. Best wishes,Jon A Perlman M.D., FACSDiplomate, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)ABC-TV Extreme Makeover SurgeonBeverly Hills, CaliforniaIG: jonperlmanmd