Traditionally, Plastic Surgeons were the leaders when it came to innovation and advancement in the field of cosmetic surgery. With the popularity of cosmetic procedures rising, there has been a frantic rush for many others to get in the game. Hence, the MEDI-SPA…
Medi-spas have arisen faster than new McDonalds franchises.
They are in every shopping mall and on every corner. All at once, you can get a massage, pedicure, and Botox. Non-specialized physicians have offered various services which were mostly less invasive until now! The advertisements are endless for LASER LIPOSUCTION. “Liposuction can be done without major anesthesia and without any down time. Why waste time going to a plastic surgeon when it can be done easily in the office.”
Unfortunately, when it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. I have recently seen unhappy patients that had presented to Medi-spas for Laser Liposuction. One of the patients had spent over ten thousand dollars and had no noticeable results. Clearly, these patients were not candidates for liposuction to begin with. What they needed first was assisted weight loss followed by discussions and a plan on body contouring surgery.
Before seeking information any invasive cosmetic procedure, I advise that you get a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Ask if he was trained specifically in Plastic Surgery because some physicians may advertise “ Board Certified “, but it may be in something other than Plastic Surgery. Other credentials to look for are whether they are members of professional societies such as American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and American College of Surgeons.
