How to Profit by Performing Cheap Liposuction

1. Forgo board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) after switching over from another specialty, such as gynecology, radiology or internal medicine.
2. Set up your office to perform operations onsite, rather than using an accredited surgical facility.
3. Plaster advertisements all over bikini-culture areas such as Las Vegas, Miami and Orange County. (“Liposuction Over Your Lunch Break” might be a good attention-getter.)
4. Consult briefly with patients but have your assistants perform the actual surgery.
5. Administer local “sedation” rather than staffing an anesthesiologist to save on costs and circumvent the need for accreditation.

Okay, enough with the scare tactics. The above is an obviously extreme example of how bargain bin liposuction clinics (and doctors) may make money. But it’s not uncommon for cosmetic surgeons to employ one or more of these cost-cutting measures in order to profit while offering cheap liposuction.

Most of the shortcuts have to do with skirting certifications and qualifications. This has the direct effect of increasing the risks of surgery. In a worst case scenario, unsafe operating conditions can lead to infections, complications, and even death, as evidenced by the case of Lourdes Trinidad, a 47-year old woman who died after visiting a Tijuana liposuction clinic. But the more likely outcome is simply poor results – dimpling skin, uneven fat removal, and excessively painful swelling and scarring.

Because of the inclination of so many discount liposuction clinics to cut corners, it’s important for you as a patient to verify their qualifications. If board certification is important to you, verify that the doctor is board certified by the ABPS, and that their facility is accredited by the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) for their onsite operating room. Next, schedule multiple pre-operation consultations, during which you should ask to see actual before and after photos from previous patients.

Most qualified plastic surgeons will be forthcoming with this information without requiring you to ask. For example, Ocean Plastic Surgery Center, an Orange County tummy tuck and liposuction practice, begins every patient relationship with a free consultation. You can see before and after photos and read about their doctor’s qualifications on their website before you visit. These practices help patients verify that they are visiting a qualified and reputable facility

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