Is a technician going to perform a procedure?

Understand the risks of plastic surgery from a technician

If you go to a medspa or a plastic surgery clinic and realize that an assistant does most of the work, do not be surprised. For many procedures, for instance a laser treatment, as many as three out of five times the procedure is performed by a technician, according to the results of a new Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll.

Should you be concerned?

Many people already are. In this survey, more than 40% of the patients did not feel safe when a doctor was not doing the procedure. And their concerns are genuine. One in 10 patients reports experiencing medical problems that required follow-up as a result of any cosmetic surgery or other treatment they received. The poll also reveals concerns about treatments that are conducted by technicians. More than half of adults who have never had cosmetic surgery or other treatments say they would be somewhat (24%) or very (32%) concerned about receiving such treatments from someone other than a medically trained doctor.

How to get a qualified person to serve you?

When you go for a consultation or make an appointment, ask clearly who will perform the procedure. If a technician is going to do it (even though a doctor maybe present for a few moments or be available on the premises), and if you are comfortable with that, make sure that you get a heavy discount (the clinics make a huge profit when underpaid technicians do the job of doctors). If not, insist that a board-certified plastic surgeon performs the procedure.

If you are not comfortable with a technician performing the procedure and the clinic refuses to honor your request for a qualified cosmetic surgeon or asks for a higher price, take your business elsewhere.  (Related:  Offshore plastic surgery)

How to prepare for plastic surgery?    How to get free plastic surgery