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Medi-spas - surgeons issue warning and checklist |
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Saturday, 20 January 2007 |
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Medi-spas, private clinics that offer traditional beautician treatments as well as medical procedures, have boomed in popularity in the last few years, but surgeons are warning patients to exercise caution when contemplating treatments at these facilities. Medi-spas are sometimes operated in a doctor's office, but a recent trend has seen the facilities operating in shopping malls and even beauty salons.
However, patients are advised to proceed with caution, because of the lack of any national standards for medi-spas and the lack of any definition of what facilities should be offered by such a facility.
To assist patients in deciding whether to use the services of a medi-spa, The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have issued a checklist of questions that should be considered before undergoing treatment in a medi-spa, or other non traditional facility.
- Is the Medi-spa located within a physician's office?
- Is the Medi-spa located outside of a doctor's office in, for example, a mall or salon? If so, find out who is the physician responsible for oversight of procedures and when they are available for consultation or questions before having any injectable, deep peel or laser treatment. Also ask about the training of any other medical personnel.
- Does the medi-spa have a physician who can help in determining patient goals, provide a treatment plan and direct patient care?
- What are the credentials of the physician supervising the treatment in the medi-spa?
- Who is performing the injection? Are they licensed?
- How effective are facial injectables and what is the right product for me?
- Is the product FDA approved? Is it approved for this use?
- Will injections last and prevent the need for a facelift in the future?
- Have you been fully informed of the possible benefits and side effects of the proposed treatment and have you been apprised of possible options?
- What do I expect from my medical procedure?
- Am I basing my decision on the best treatment option and not on price?
- Have you asked to see before and after pictures?
- What if I'm unhappy with the result?
- Have you been told who holds financial responsibility for any revisions or if complications arise?
This list of questions should assist patients in using an ethical, medically competent facility and avoid unnecessary risks or dissatisfied outcomes.
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