Follow up- can surgical assistant perform plastic surgeries

Question

I had previously asked if a surgical assistant could perform surgeries because after paying a deposit at a place in called Juventus Cosmetics I found out the surgeon Eduardo Aroyao who did my consolultation and spoke to me as my surgeon was actually not a plastic surgeon but a surgical assistant.he was going to be the one and only one inside the Or doing my surgery now idk what to do to get my money back.this has been a nightmare!

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

A surgeon is required to perform surgery.   A surgical assistant is not licensed to perform surgeries.  This needs to be brought to the attention of the licensing boards and even the local law enforcement.

Michael S. Beckenstein, MD · Answer

Surgical assistants are just that assistants! They cannot be the only one performing the surgery unsupervised by a board certified surgeon. You need to discuss with the surgeon, who you went to see about your surgery and get a guarantee that he/she will be performing the surgery. The fact that you did not see the surgeon during your consultation would not make me at ease with that practice. If you don't feel comfortable, cancel the surgery even if it means you forfeit some of what you paid. Your life is worth it!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

A surgical assistant is there to aid the real surgeon. An assistant has no business doing an operation independently.

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

No! A Surgical assistant CAN NOT and  is not qualified to perform any kind of surgeries. You can check - to see if the surgeon you are considering is a Board Certified PS-by going to the American Board of Plastic Surgery--on the left - click on "Is your surgeon Certified"----and input the surgeon's name.

Naveen Somia, MBBS, PhD, FRACS · Answer

Surgical assistants are helpers to the Surgeon. They are not qualified as Surgeons and hence cannot practice as Surgeons. Letting a non surgeon  misrepresent/ falsely represent himself as a Surgeon would be considered against the law in all countries.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

In the State of Florida it is "illegal" for a surgical assistant to solely preform and make surgical decisions. You need to contact the Florida Board of Medicine or Dept. of Health (DOH) and file a compliant in regard to this person. Who has been on the radar for years but NEVER found, seems to always move on to other clinics...

Ofer Rodriguez, DO · Answer

Please, beware of charlatans. Make sure the person is a board certified plastic surgeon, it is your life and you body.

Gregory Park, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

A surgical assistant is not qualified to perform surgery, let alone plastic surgery. To obtain the safest, most consistent results, you should consult and schedule surgery with a board certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck.

Follow up- can surgical assistant perform plastic surgeries

Answers (8)