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According to the New York Times, surgical practices in Prague are offering free enhancements to nurses as an employment incentive.  One nurse chose to undergo breast augmentation and liposuction, free of charge.  

The piece raises some interesting ethical questions: While the procedures could certainly be beneficial to individual nurses in the short term, would such a practice harm the nursing profession as a whole?  

According to reporter Dan Bilefsky, nurses in the region “insist they are under enormous pressure to look good in a society where attractiveness is often as highly prized as clinical skills.”  Critics argue that the incentives could promote an idealized body image for nurses, in a profession already suffering from misconceptions about technical competence.  A spokeswoman from the Czech nurses association argues that nurses are still perceived as “low level workers” with little to offer besides manual labor.  Nurses after all, aren’t intended to be models, but caregivers that provide an enormous benefit to the medical profession and the public they serve.  A misplaced emphasis on their physical appearance could undermine public perceptions of their competence and value.

Still, others may not see any problem with offering incentives through procedures like breast augmentation or rhinoplasty; perhaps they’re analogous to employee discounts at a retailer, vacation packages, or other career perks.  

The supposed ethical problems brought by these surgical incentive programs probably aren’t a product of the programs alone, but rather an objection to the sexism and discrimination that underlie them.

At Plastic Surgery Experts, we see surgery consultations as an opportunity to educate and comfort our patients. This can be partly achieved through email correspondence. Prior to a consultation in person, you may contact us with questions and concerns.

The popularity of these services is rising as more internet-savvy patients choose to research surgery procedures online. CNN reports that some surgeons have gone as far as implementing a “virtual consultation” using live chat services like Skype or iChat. These platforms are known for being user-friendly. One East coast surgeon claims that roughly 15 percent of his patients opt for the virtual consult.

Surgeons in foreign countries have also capitalized on new technology, which has allowed them to reach a wider clientele. For patients, it’s a great way to gather information or determine if they are comfortable with a surgeon. Michael Boeckle, who helps schedule surgery “vacation packages” for patients, says “patients usually do not pick their doctor by price, but by how comfortable they feel with the information they have received.”

If you decide to contact us, we can ensure your privacy. We’ll also do our best to address your questions in a timely manner.

Last week, the Food & Drug Administration granted clearance to Medicis Pharmaceutical for their new wrinkle reducer, Dysport. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists may have the drug available for cosmetic use in just 30 – 60 days.

Dysport will compete with Botox, as both drugs perform the same basic function – neuromuscular blocking to relax and prevent wrinkles. Dysport however, is said to be more diluted than Botox and thus more cost effective for providers. The recent FDA approval of dysport also came with a unique warning label describing the risks associated with the botulinum toxin.

Rather than rebranding the drug ‘Reloxin’ as planned, Medicis decided to retain its original European name, Dysport

The April 30th announcement coincided with a 3 percent drop in Allergan’s (maker of Botox) shares, and a 14 percent increase of Medicis’ shares. Analysts and industry professionals expect Dysport to carry a slightly lower price tag than Botox, and say it could capture as much as 30 percent of the current market.

For more information on wrinkle treatments in Chicago and Munster, Indiana see our homepage.