Seattle Plastic Surgeon won’t donate surgery to her children’s school.
My children’s school had its annual fund raising auction this past weekend. This year was a 60’s theme and we all got to dress up like hippies. It was a blast.
Every year someone inquires about me donating surgery to be auctioned off and I always have to decline. The two national associations I belong to – the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery forbid the donation of surgery to raffles, auctions, wet t-shirt contests, and the like by their members.
When one gives this some thought, it is a very good policy. These events are set up to get participants excited and enthusiastic so they will bid higher or buy more tickets and the winner of the item may never have had an inkling to purchase such a service and in fact may not be a good candidate for a particular service. I would hate to see an unhealthy, overweight, indoor tanning, 2 pack a day smoker in my office expecting a face lift because he or she was the high bidder at the auction. Participation in these events really undermines the usual process of doctor and patient selection. We are allowed to donate non-invasive procedures such as skin care, Botox and filler injections because these have a much broader range of appropriate patients than surgery.
This year I donated our medical skin care system, Obagi Nuderm. It works like a charm for fine lines and uneven pigmentation and is safe for just about everyone. I know the lovely woman who had the high bid this year and I am looking forward to helping her transform her complexion. It’s a win, win, win. She gets great skin, I get a great patient and the school gets a nice chunk of change.
Thanks for reading! Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder
@lisalynnsowder
