The Three Myths of Liposuction

How To Know You’re Getting a Good Deal and Superior Care

I want to look like THAT!

We’ve all seen the billboards and the ads, and that’s what they are designed to make you say. The key to getting there, however, is making sure that you choose wisely where you get your procedure done.

Now, of course, we’d love for you to visit us, but that’s not the point of this blog. No matter where you go, you have the right to a safe and quality procedure. The question is, however, how do you know that’s what you’re going to get?

That’s why I’ve put together a few thoughts on how to distinguish between a good deal and a not-so-good one.

●     Low Prices and Specials -- We’re the nation that created the drive-through, so naturally we’re drawn to procedures that have a dramatic impact on our looks for a low price that we can act on right now. The problem is, low prices are a myth. When I see an ad that claims any kind of lipo procedure for $199, I roll my eyes, because I know that’s a bait and switch price. A good lipo experience begins with a medical evaluation from a medical doctor, not a clerk in scrubs. Not everyone is a candidate for lipo, because some health issues may cause complications. An initial consult with a physician -- which may actually involve a test or two -- is essential to a good outcome. Next, the procedure is scheduled (with the SAME physician -- some centers use subcontractors that rotate, so the person who evaluated you may not be the one who performs the procedure) and then a follow up visit is required to ensure a good outcome. No one can do that for $199. That ad is designed to get you in the door, where some centers reveal their true specialty -- not plastic surgery, but rather, the art of the upsell. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

●     Is There a Doctor in the House? -- One way to detect quality care at a medpsa or surgery center is to find out if it is owned and operated by a medical doctor. Many are not. Instead, they employ doctors as subcontractors and rotate their schedules. In some cases, they may not even have a doctor on the premises at all times. Liposuction is a medical procedure, not a mechanical one. You only have one body, so you shouldn’t trust it to people who aren’t medical doctors.

●     Options -- Invariably, there are many ways to achieve a particular cosmetic outcome. In many cases, a good medical evaluation will reveal that there may be different options to achieve your body image goal. Some people are overweight because of drastic hormone imbalances, which can be treated non-invasively with a hormone replacement regimen and a reasonable diet. In other cases, lipo might be the best choice for an optimum result. If you walk into a center and declare you want lipo, and they sign you up without offering options based on a comprehensive medical evaluation, walk out. This is a medical procedure, not an oil change. A good solution for your body image is about choosing the course of action that is the safest, healthiest and customized to your needs to ensure a good patient outcome. Centers that focus on that experience will always be a better bet than ones who simply deliver a service.

Good care is based on personalized, individual attention from a caring medical professional. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll have a much better chance of receiving the kind of care we all deserve.