Dr. Barr Supports New Bill to Regulate Liposuction Surgery

December 14, 2011

The lack of regulation in the plastic surgery industry has resulted in an increasing number of deaths due to unscrupulous, uncertified physicians practicing in unsafe office settings. Four young South Florida women in their 30s were the latest to lose their lives during liposuction procedures performed in unregulated offices, spurring one South Florida lawmaker to push for new restrictions on the cosmetic procedure.

Dr. Frederic Barr of Palm Beach Plastic Surgery is certified by a board that regulates surgical facilities in the state of Florida, and knows just how dangerous liposuction surgery can be if not performed in a hospital or surgical office with life-saving equipment. "Certainly any kind of surgery carries a risk but our job is to maximize everything we can to give the optimal result," Dr. Barr told CBS 12 News. The new law, being proposed by Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D) Hollywood, would make liposuction surgery safer by requiring it to be performed in offices inspected by the state, and would require doctors to have both life support training and equipment.



"We've seen some deaths here in the state of Florida before of young, vibrant women," said Sobel. "They go into these facilities not knowing what the outcome is going to be." The law states that any liposuction procedure that removes more than one liter of fat must be done in a regulated office setting. Currently, there are few laws that regulate liposuction in an office setting. "The problem is where someone gets more ambitious and wants to do more than just a liter and giving more than the local anesthetic," said Dr. Barr.

Dr. Barr advises those considering liposuction surgery to ensure their chosen doctor has hospital privileges to perform the procedure. Although the price of liposuction could go up if the legislation passes, supporters of the bill believe it is a small price to pay if just one life is saved. The bill is making its way to its final committee and will then move to the Senate floor. A similar bill is also moving through the house.

Whether you are considering liposuction surgery, face lift surgery, breast augmentation or any other type of cosmetic surgery, make sure that your physician has the proper certifications and licenses. Never agree to undergo any surgical procedure in an unregulated office. If you are seeking a board-certified plastic surgeon in West Palm Beach, call Palm Beach Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery today at 561-833-4122.