Is it legal for a PA to perform smart lipo?

Question

it is legal for a PA to perform smart lipo? can a PA administer local anesthesia? Is it safe to allow a PA to perform a smart lipo procedure if they have had years of proper experiece?

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

State regulations define the scope of PA practice and are available from your state medical board. Although experience is crucial to optimal outcomes, the limits of practice are defined by law, not experience.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I would never go to a PA for liposuction.  This is your body and you should not compromise care for price or distance.  I suggest going to a board certified cosmetic surgeon and someone who specializes in this surgery particularly.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Kimberly Finder, MD · Answer

Each state has laws that dictate what a non-physician may do. Even if it were legal to have a liposuction, along with laser assistance (SmartLipo), performed by a PA or NP, the question is why would you do that? Liposuction is a surgical procedure. There are risks with any surgery, but those risks are minimized, or even eliminated, by having the most experienced person possible performing that surgery. There are differences even among physicians. Having your procedure done by a physician who has done at least hundreds, preferably many thousands of a particular procedure will not guarantee a perfect outcome, but will be your best opportunity to have a safe and rewarding result.

Joel B. Singer, MD · Answer

It depends on the state. Some states allow PA's to perform liposuction and Smartlipo independently and some states do not. I think it's perfectly reasonable to have a PA administer local anesthesia in a tumescent liposuction case but I do not think that PA's should be doing the full case independently.As for a PA performing smartlipo, I think some of the concerns that many doctors share have to do with depth of training in the technique and ability to handle any post-operative complications. Please remember as you look around for your surgeon that surgery is not a commodity and that shopping around should not focus too much emphasis on price. I am confident that you can find a qualified physician to do your smartlipo case and if you look around enough, you will find a center that fits your budget.Good luck.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

At least in California, PAs are allowed to practice medicine under the oversight of the physician who is the least available.It's caveat emptor.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Surgery on your body is no place to cut cost.  See a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for your surgery.  Do not go to a PA for surgery.  Best wishes!

Sherwood Baxt, MD (retired) · Answer

this comes under the category of you get what you pay for and it's the wild west out there.why consider this when there are so many highly trained competent ethical plastic surgeons available?

Is it legal for a PA to perform smart lipo?

Answers (7)

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