Last week we had a few really hilarious phone calls, but the funniest person was one who I had seen for a cosmetic consult six months prior. She called to inform us that she had seen some other surgeons after seeing me and their surgical fees for liposuction were lower. Lisa, my office gal, had a look on her face that I really should have photographed as she spoke with this lady.

The woman went on to say she really wants me to do her surgery but has decided to only have liposuction and not liposuction along with laser re-surfacing. She then proceeded to tell us how she was going to have it for a fraction of that which we originally quoted by giving herself a multiple procedure discount (without multiple procedures) and eliminating anesthesia fees by having it under local.

While I understand that cosmetic surgery is expensive, it is laughable to think that any reputable surgeon will comply with a phone call of this sort. It makes little sense to defend my fee structure to a woman like this, but there are many types of doctors who perform liposuction including dermatologists, gynecologists and other non-plastic surgeons. These doctors tend to offer it for less. Then again they tend to do it in their offices with poor equipment and lighting. They did not attend residency programs to train them how to operate. Maybe our caller went to the emergency doctor down the street. He got tired of getting paid nothing for heart attacks so he opened a place and is doing cosmetic work. He is cheap.

Best Regards,

John Di Saia MD

Originally posted 2007-05-23 18:25:00.