New Jersey lawmakers are mulling a proposal that would restrict the performance of liposuction, breast augmentation and abdominoplasty to hospitals, ASCs and accredited office-based facilities.

While cosmetic surgeons say the legislation is necessary to protect patient safety, dermatologists operating out of non-accredited offices imply that the surgeons' aim to protect their business.

The Health and Senior Services Committee in the state's general assembly issued its most recent version of the bill in December. The state senate's Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee issued a companion bill last week.

For several years, dermatologists have been offering laser liposuction as in-office practices, according to a published report. Plastic surgeons support the proposed restrictions due to concerns that more cosmetic cases will migrate from surgical facilities, where accreditation and their more extensive training ensure patient safety.

The dermatologists reply that the state's current regulations are sufficient to safeguard patients, especially since the office-based practices only use local anesthesia, not the risky general option. Plus, they note, their costs to patients are even lower than ASCs'.

David Bernard