Be careful when shopping for cheap plastic surgery. The term ‘cheap’ can apply to quality as well as to price, and poor quality surgery can be quite damaging. This is not to mention the possible liposuction side effects even it is a quality surgery or procedure. Always use someone who has a reputation for and experience at performing high quality service. The fact that a doctor has a medical license does not automatically qualify him to perform every type of procedure. But there is nothing to stop a licensed physician from claiming to be a cosmetic surgeon.
So how does one go about protecting oneself? The best way is to do intensive research. Look for a surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Doctors must meet strict criteria before they can join this organization. They must each have accumulated at least six years of surgical training and experience, with at least three of those years being as a plastic surgeon. They must be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (in Canada, certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is required).
And do not be content with verifying the credentials of just the surgeon. Look into the reputation and record of the clinic at which the procedure will take place. It should also be accredited by the ASPS. Ineffective or untrained staff can do almost as much damage as an unqualified surgeon. This type of accreditation will necessarily result in somewhat higher fees for the procedures. But it is important to remember that money cannot be the overriding deciding factor in choosing a provider of plastic surgery services.
Still, prices should not be outrageous. Doctors who routinely perform a procedure over and over again become more efficient and may, therefore, be able to lower the prices they charge. Competition, too, can drive down prices. Liposuction prices, in particular, seem to be coming down as such procedures become more popular and also because technology is improving. Improvements in technology are not only allowing for less invasive techniques, but also less liposuction side effects. More doctors are taking the training classes needed to perform non surgical liposuction.
But training does not equal expertise. Someone who has been certified in plastic surgery is fine, but potential patients should look for a doctor who has experience. Someone who has done hundreds of new liposuction procedures is probably good at it. Someone who has just received their certification may do a great job, but why take the risk of being an early ‘test’ patient? Get references from other patients on whom they have worked.
Cheap liposuction or any other type of cosmetic procedure that has the term ‘cheap’ attached to it should be carefully considered. Otherwise the patient could be paying for cheap plastic surgery for the rest of her life.