Times have changed in plastic surgery. Fifteen years ago, most surgery, regardless how routine or small the procedure, was performed in the hospital. Now most cosmetic surgical procedures are performed in outpatient surgery centers.
Now, even relatively complex and lengthy procedures are performed in outpatient surgery centers. These facilities are sometimes also called ambulatory surgery centers. More than 90% of all plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation as well as liposuction and rhinoplasty are performed in outpatient facilities.
Surgical procedures of all varieties have been safer and more effective. But it is still a serious decision and the facility where it is performed is an important factor of overall safety.
There are several things to evaluate whether you should use a particular outpatient surgery center. Most important is safety. You should check on the certification of the outpatient surgery center. There are certifying organizations that inspect facilities. Some of these include AAAHC and Medicare. When a facility has these certifications, they have been thoroughly inspected for their physical layout, staff training, safety equipment, and emergency protocols to assure they have the highest level of professionalism and safety.
You should ask if the surgery center has a transfer agreement with a local hospital. In case of an unlikely problem, this will assure that you can get quick access to emergency care at the hospital. You should ask about the safety equipment on hand at the facility. Following your procedure in an outpatient surgery center, you likely will go home. You should ask your surgeon what the protocol is for contacting him and her with questions and concerns during off hours. You should also ask who will be performing your anesthesia. Is the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist experienced in outpatient surgery?
Outpatient surgery is now very common and safe. But it is important to check on the outpatient surgery center prior to deciding where to have your procedure performed.
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