Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Birmingham Reduces Aesthetic Surgery Rates

BIRMINGHAM, AL, July 03, 2011 (Press-News.org) Plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Beckenstein (http://www.msbmd.com) recently negotiated lower hospital rates for his cosmetic surgery patients in Birmingham in order to make them more competitive with office-based fees. This move allows for greater safety at a good value for patients who want the reassurance of undergoing their surgery in a hospital setting.

"Hospital fees are usually high," Dr. Beckenstein explains. Often, this makes it a second choice for patients since it increases the cost of their surgery dramatically. "I wanted to negotiate a better rate because I truly want the best for my patients, which means performing their surgery in the best and safest location I can." With the new rates, which are competitive with office-based cosmetic surgery rates, patients can worry less about cost and focus more on safety.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon in Birmingham, Dr. Beckenstein's biggest concern is producing beautiful results as safely as possible. He believes getting hospital rates more in line with office-based surgery rates encourages patients to choose the safer of two options for cosmetic surgery. He argues that hospitals are the safest place to have cosmetic surgery such as breast augmentation in Birmingham, because if any major complications occur, the patient is in exactly the right place to receive the medical care he or she may need.

"It's not that offices are unsafe," Dr. Beckenstein says. "It comes down to the fact that the patient would have to be transported to a hospital if any complications occurred, increasing the risk of aggravating the patient's condition more."

Being in a hospital setting also has a safety factor that office-based cosmetic surgery does not: a staff of licensed M.D. anesthesiologists assisting with the surgery. Anesthesiologists are doctors, meaning they have completed medical school and have earned their Medical Degrees. They also complete specialized training for an additional 2 to 3 years after medical school, which teaches them how to safely deliver anesthesia. Typically, plastic surgeons will use nurses not anesthesiologists in their office to assist with anesthesia. Nurses can be capable of properly delivering anesthesia, but most consider it preferable to have a dedicated anesthesiologist on hand.

"Hospital resources are extensive and it's difficult to offer comparable staffing, equipment, and safety measures in an office setting. In my office, we always strive for the highest standard of safety, but for major or complicated surgeries, it makes sense to perform the procedure in the place with the most resources," Dr. Beckenstein says.

Performing surgery in the hospital often helps patients feel more at ease before surgery, he finds. "Peace of mind is incredibly valuable for patients. They are electing to have surgery and don't want to be exposed to more risk than needed. If patients choose to go the hospital route, I respect that choice, and want to make it easier for them and for their pocketbooks."

Dr. Michael Beckenstein (http://www.msbmd.com) is a board-certified plastic surgeon who offers procedures for the breasts, body and face at his practice in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Beckenstein earned his MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School before studying advanced plastic surgery techniques through several residencies and fellowships. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Beckenstein has authored and co-authored a number of articles in journals and textbooks, and has been recognized as one of America's Top Surgeons by the Consumer Research Council of America.