More people are turning to office-based surgery centers when getting cosmetic surgery. In fact, nationally, these types of outpatient procedures are up. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), about 10 million procedures were performed in a doctor's office by 2005, double the amount from 1995.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) requires members who perform these surgical procedures on an outpatient basis, under anesthesia or sedation, to be accredited by the American Association of Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). The organization also requires that surgeons who perform outpatient surgery in office-based centers must have hospital privileges to perform the same procedure. To date, research shows the overall safety record is comparable to those performed in hospital settings.
There are a number of things you can do to ensure your safety:
- Make sure your surgeon at the outpatient center is board certified.
- Ensure the facility where your surgery will be performed adheres to strict safety standards required of accredited facilities.
- Verify your surgeon has a full record of your medical history including the medications you are taking, diseases, disorders, any cardiovascular problems, or a history of bad reactions to anesthesia.
- Make sure the facility uses licensed personnel to monitor your anesthesia during your surgery, and afterwards in your recovery immediately afterwards.