Surgeon working alone without second assist?

Question

I always thought it was customary to have a second assist. I had my TT with FDL and MR. I was shocked to find out my PS alone. I had never thought to ask until minutes before. Every TT I have watched online has a second assist to help. This leads me to believe that I wasn't pulled tightly for that reason. Is working alone common? My pannus is gone and I am very grateful even with the extra skin left over despite FDL/anchor cut and extended Tuck with Diastasis repair. What's the deal here?

Mark A. Deuber, MD · Answer

In general, the vast majority of cosmetic procedures do not require a second assistant. In my practice, I will use second assistants to help with closure of extensive incisions. This is common in large body contouring procedures, especially when multiple procedures are being down such as in massive weight loss patients. The second assist generally has extensive experience closing incisions. This will cut down on operative times which can lead to easier/better recoveries. However, second assists are not necessary or customary for many procedures, and their presence or absence doesn't alter or affect the procedure that is performed.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your concerns. No, it is not necessarily "customary" to have a plastic surgeon assistant. In my practice, for example, I do not have a plastic surgeon assistant for the vast majority of cases performed. I hope this clarifies. Best wishes.

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

I feel it is the reverse. It is more normal for a plastic
surgeon to work alone and it has nothing to do with how tight you may or may
not have been pulled. The assistant usually only helps with sewing anyway. They
do not do the actual surgery. So it is not usual and customary to have a
surgical assistant in the operating room, it is up to the surgeon and it
usually is a cost to the patient to have an assistant.

Chad Robbins, MD · Answer

It isn't unusual to work alone as a Plastic Surgeon with regard to a First Assist.  It is the physicians preference and usually they only use a scrub tech who passes instruments to the surgeon.  Most patients prefer just the Plastic Surgeon for their procedure.  Hope this helps.

Ali Mosharrafa, MD · Answer

A first or second assistant is purely surgeon preference.  I have 20 years of experience doing your surgery with a surgical scrub technician only who passes instruments and assists with the procedure.  There are no safety concerns here.  Hope this helps.Dr. Ali Mosharrafa

Surgeon working alone without second assist?

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Surgeon working alone without second assist?

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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