Cosmetic surgery at a teaching hospital?

Question

I am 66 and need a facelift and neck lift, and I was considering a Teaching hospital in a very well known and respected NYC hospital. Any comments?

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Regardless of where your facelift is undertaken you should be under the supervision of one particular surgeon. That's surgeon will be responsible for your ultimate result. If you have confidence then it makes no difference where the operation is performed.

Leland Deane, MD, FACS · Answer

The residents will be doing your surgery. The 'attending surgeon' might be doing some of the surgery, or maybe just directing the residents. Your postoperative follow up might be with different residents than those that did your surgery. A 'name' teaching hospital can mislead you into thinking that the residents are 'good'. You might ask for the name of the attending surgeon who will be helping the residents and do your due diligence on that surgeon. Lastly, you might have limited legal recourse against the teaching hospital if there is a catastrophic event.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

If money is your only concern, this might seem like a good idea.  I have seen a few folks who elected to go this route.  What I can tell you is that experience makes a work of difference.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

MBG   Having your cosmetic surgery at a teaching hospital can sometimes be a less expensive alternative to cosmetic surgery. Each teaching hospital has a different approach. Usually a plastic surgery resident or fellow will perform the surgery under the guidance of a board-certified plastic surgeon, who may or may not be present during your operation. For this reason it is important to do your research and ask these questions before agreeing to the surgery. Also it may be a good idea to compare costs to other board-certified plastic surgeons in your area. Good luck

Garrett Griffin, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  A teaching hospital usually means that residents and/or fellows will be observing and possibly participating in your case.  Typically for cosmetic procedures these trainees are just watching but if your surgeon teaches fellows (a more advanced trainee) the fellow may perform part of the surgery.  I would have a conversation with your surgeon about who performs the surgery.  In terms of cost, the cost of the operating room and anesthesia may be more than it would be at an outpatient surgery center, but this varies by hospital and surgery center.  If your surgeon has several good before and afters and good reviews, he/she is probably worth sticking with. Best of luck!

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Having cosmetic surgery at a teaching hospital can sometimes lower the cost of the procedure.  You should discuss your procedure with the supervising surgeon and find out who would be performing the surgery.  As long as the supervising surgeon is overseeing the procedure, I would not discourage you from this option.

Mark Hamilton, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. There is absolutely no issues with teaching hospital as long as you understand you may have residents or even medical students helping with your care. That said, everything should be overseen by your surgeon. Always be sure to ask who will be performing your case and what role will the residents play. If you can accept a more teaching environment, this can be a great option for some patients.

Kouros Azar, MD · Answer

The residents at a teaching hospital work under a surgeon who is ultimately responsible for your outcome and care. As long as you feel comfortable with that surgeon and trust his or her work, then yes, a teaching hospital can be a good option.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It is acceptable to undergo a lower face and neck lift at a teaching hospital, but it's also important to understand the the residents will be training to learn how to do this procedure upon you. Most importantly is to make sure that the  staff teaching surgeon has excellent credentials and you've looked at their before-and-after photo gallery to make sure that your results will be what you anticipated. Communication with the attending staff surgeon is very important and to make sure that they are available and in the operating room  and assisting with the residents during the surgical procedure

Mark Filstein, MD · Answer

You get what you pay for. You are going to get a resident and/or fellow doing it and an attending plastic surgeon who may or may not do many facelifts supervising/helping the fellow/resident. You are also going to get an anesthesia resident giving you anesthesia.
So, your call....

Cosmetic surgery at a teaching hospital?

Answers (11)

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