Why Do So Few Surgeons Work in an Actual Hospital As Opposed to Their Private Surgery Centers?

The main reasons for a surgeon operating in his office are cost, convenience and efficiency. The back-up services  (cardiologists, anesthesiologists, other specialists, ICUs, special equipment etc.) are far greater in a hospital; so most people would consider that the hospital is indeed'safer.' The risk of infection in a hospital is not greater when we consider day surgery. 

Unfortunately, hospitals are not geared to quick turnovers and the nurses and technicians are not selected by the surgeon. Operating is not so slick and can be frustrating when the staff is inexperienced.

Furthermore, hospitals are not particularly keen on doing cosmetic surgery, because they are paid much, much, more by insurance companies for reconstructive cases. They do cosmetic surgery as a favor to the Plastic Surgeons, who they hope will use them for insured services.

Nevertheless, if a patient has any serious medical condition, then the operation should be done in a hospital.

There are several advantages to having elective plastic surgery in a private facility vs a hospital, provided that the facility is accredited by an agency such as AAAASF. Hospitasl are for sick people so your experience there will be different. In a private facility, you will have more privacy. A hospital surgery facility has to cater to a wide variety of specialties, while a private facility is designed to do only a few things but do them very well. Hospital nursing staff may not be as familiar with the fine details of plastic surgery procedures. The basic idea is that the plastic surgeon has greater control over every aspect of your care in a facility that he or she owns, but with equal safety. One more thing to point out though is that the surgeon should have priviledges at the closest hospital for the procedures that are performed in the private facility, so that their qualifications have been independently evaluated.