Choosing the right provider for liposuction can be daunting, especially when faced with the decision between heavily advertised national chains like GOALS and Sonobello and a private doctor with a boutique practice.
What’s the difference between liposuction chains and a boutique practice?
Patients ask us this all the time. And we are glad they do because it means they are making informed decisions.
This blog highlights some potential differences, considerations, and questions you may want to ask when you are looking for a liposuction provider to help you make an informed decision about your liposuction procedure.
Personalized Consultation with Your Doctor
One of the most crucial aspects of any surgical procedure is the ability to consult with your doctor. At national liposuction chains, patients often don’t meet their surgeon until the day of surgery. Up until the surgery, you may just be interacting with salespeople and intake staff that will have nothing to do with your actual procedure.
Some chains require you to sign up for your surgery and pay before being able to meet the physician. Practices may also switch your assigned surged on the day of the procedure. This impersonal approach can lead to a surgical plan that does not meet a patient’s specific goals.
In contrast, at a boutique practice like the Falcone Center, you will meet the doctor well before your surgery. This consultation allows you to discuss your goals, ask questions, and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs with the physician who will be performing the procedure.
Would you have a surgical procedure like a knee replacement without meeting the surgeon ahead of time? Then why would you do with a surgical procedure for your appearance?
Questions you can ask:
- Who is the surgeon that is going to perform the procedure?
- Can I meet the surgeon to discuss my specific concerns and procedure during the consultation?
- Can the practice change my surgeon without my consent?
- Will I be able to see my surgeon during any of my post-operative visits?
- Does your terms and conditions allow you to switch my surgeon without my consent?
Commissioned Salespeople vs. Experienced Surgeons
Franchises often employ commissioned salespeople whose primary goal is to close business and sell services so they can earn a sales commission. These sales professionals might promise extensive treatments like “Lipo 360” or multiple areas of liposuction without fully understanding the safety and practical limitations of such procedures.
They may also show you digitally touched-up before and after photos and only positive reviews. But did you know that some practices go as far as to prohibit your ability to post negative but truthful reviews after a procedure?
Experienced surgeons, however, can provide a realistic assessment of what can be achieved safely. At the Falcone Center, Dr. Falcone uses her extensive experience to determine the appropriate number of areas that can be treated in one session, ensuring both safety and satisfaction.
Questions you can ask:
- How are you compensated?
- Can your practice safely perform all the areas we are discussing in one surgical procedure?
- Does your practice place any legal limitations on reviews after a procedure?
- Does your contract for the procedure prohibit or limit patients from posting negative reviews about the procedure or the practice?
Understanding “Lipo 360” and Safety Parameters
Terms like “Lipo 360” or other “branded” liposuction suction or BBL procedures can be misleading. Lipo360 simply means treating around the entire waistline, but the feasibility of this procedure depends on the amount of numbing fluid (lidocaine) that can be safely used. All liposuction surgeons adhere to safety parameters for lidocaine dosing based on body weight. Exceeding these parameters can be dangerous.
Other practices may also tout special, innovative, or patented procedures their practice offers – but make sure you understand exactly what the procedure is and whether it’s just a clever marketing ploy.
At the Falcone Center, we prioritize your safety and ensure that promises made during the consultation are realistic and achievable within these safety guidelines.
Questions you can ask:
- Explain to me exactly what Lipo360 means at this practice
- Clinically what is the difference between your specialty procedure and how that procedure is typically performed?
- Is there any written material that describes the difference between your specialty procedure and the typical procedure?
Quality and Completeness of the Procedure
High-volume practices may have multiple surgeons performing procedures in multiple procedure rooms at the same time. The pressure is on to quickly finish procedures and to turn over procedure rooms for the next patient. This can lead to corner-cutting to save time, especially when performing Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedures by harvesting only enough fat for the BBL, leaving the liposuction incomplete. This approach can lead to disappointment with the overall results.
At the Falcone Center, every procedure is performed with thoroughness and attention to detail, ensuring a complete and satisfying outcome.
Questions you can ask:
- How many liposuction procedures does your practice perform each day?
- How many liposuction procedures will my surgeon perform on my surgical date?
The Physical Demands of Liposuction
Liposuction is physically demanding, and the quality of the procedure can decline if the surgeon is overbooked. If a surgeon is performing more than three cases a day, the likelihood of thorough and meticulous work decreases, especially for surgeries scheduled later in the day. While you may think having your procedure in the evening is better for your schedule or you may even be offered a cheaper rate for late in evening procedures, do you want to take the chance your surgeon is exhausted?
Since the Falcone Center is a boutique practice, Dr. Falcone performs only 1-2 procedures each day to maintain the highest quality and care for each patient.
Questions you can ask:
- How many procedures does my assigned surgeon perform each day?
- How long has the staff assisting the surgeon worked each day?
Ensuring Your Surgeon’s Qualifications
In some practices, surgeries may be performed by minimally experienced doctors or even unlicensed practitioners. This is particularly common in states like Florida, where physicians are not required to own the medical practice. Business owners can hire any doctor to perform the surgery.
Pennsylvania, however, requires a physician to own a medical practice. At the Falcone Center, Dr. Falcone performs every surgery herself, ensuring you receive care from a highly qualified and experienced surgeon.
- How many procedures of the exact type we are discussing have my assigned surgeon performed?
- Can I ask my assigned surgeon about their experience performing my specific procedure?
Protect Yourself: Ask the Right Questions
To protect yourself, always ask detailed questions about who will be performing your surgery. Ensure it is written into your consent forms who you are authorizing to perform the procedure. Don’t accept last-minute changes, and be wary of practices that seem too good to be true. At the Falcone Center, we encourage patients to be proactive and informed. Dr. Falcone is available for consultations before, during, and after your procedure, providing a level of care and commitment that franchises often cannot match.
Conclusion
Not all doctors in Miami or working in franchises are bad, and many excellent surgeons run fantastic practices. However, it is crucial to know who is performing your surgery and to ask how many cases they handle each day. At the Falcone Center, Dr. Falcone’s commitment to performing only 1-2 procedures a day ensures she is at her best for each patient. By choosing a private doctor like Dr. Falcone, you are choosing personalized care, 18 years of expertise, and a commitment to safety and quality.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit the Falcone Center where Dr. Falcone will personally guide you through every step of your liposuction journey.
Dr. Victoria Falcone has helped thousands of patients achieve their body contouring goals through a comprehensive approach to health, wellness and vitality. A liposuction and weight loss specialist since 2007, Dr. Falcone has almost 2 decades of experience in surgical and non-surgical body contouring. If you are exploring options to change your shape, you definitely want to set up a consultation with Dr. Falcone. She offers four different liposuction technologies in addition to the non-surgical SculpSure™ treatment, hormone evaluation and treatment, medical weight loss and fat transfer procedures. Your treatment plan will be individualized with Dr. Falcone because she is a specialist who can provide weight loss, liposuction and body contouring options in one facility. She will recommend the treatment or combination of treatments that suit your budget, lifestyle, and desired outcome.