Prior to Surgery were you informed that there would be surgical techs, registered nurses sometimes nursing assistants in the operating room. There are also housekeeping staff anesthesia techs that are included in your care. These are not people that you hear about prior to your procedure, however for a good outcome they are necessary. Surgical Assistants are professionals that are sometime paid by the hospital or surgeon directly, but occasionally some facility's contract these assistants who in turn bill the patients insurance or patient directly. Having a highly trained assistant in the OR for a High risk procedure is the standard of care in most hospitals across the nation. Be glad that your surgeon choose to give you the best care possible by having someone trained to help him. Kudos to your surgeon!!