Why Choose Our Practice
The goal of all of us at Plastic Surgery Associates is to exceed your expectations of service each time you visit with us. Through our unique combination of health and beauty experts, we are able to provide you with the newest, most effective treatments for your face and body.
Why Choose our Practice
Today more than ever, the choice of a plastic surgeon is a critical decision that should be made with the utmost care. Over the past few years, the media has documented a dramatic influx of "cosmetic surgeons" into the field of aesthetic plastic surgery. Many of these doctors have no formal surgical training and rely on "weekend courses" to train themselves in "cosmetic surgery". Gynecologists, dermatologists, ophthalmologists, and even dentists are attempting plastic surgery. Educated and discerning patients will realize that most "cosmetic surgeries", if done properly, are complex and precise operative procedures that will dramatically affect their lives for years to come.
Training
To perform these procedures at the highest level, technical skill, an artistic eye, and a long and rigorous program of training is necessary. The latter will usually consist of four years of college, four years of medical school, three to five years of general surgery training, and two to three years of specialized training in plastic surgery. Surgeons focusing their practices on cosmetic surgery customarily then obtain subspecialty recognition in aesthetic plastic surgery. For certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the surgeon must then pass a demanding series of written and oral examinations. This amounts to at least ten years of additional specialized training after college. The significance lies not only in developing the surgeon's clinical judgment and technical skill, but also in demonstrating his/her commitment to practicing plastic surgery at the highest level of excellence. A select number of plastic surgeons are finally invited to join the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Finding your Plastic Surgeon
Selecting a plastic surgeon can be a difficult and confusing process. In the end, it is a personal decision that each patient must make for themselves. We can, however, offer some advice, which our patients have found helpful during the selection process: Be sure that your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Medical Association and by the American Board of Medical Specialties! Beware of "sound alike" boards that do not reflect the needed extensive education. You can contact your state's medical board, the American Society of Plastic Surgery (888 4-PLASTIC), or the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (888 272-7711) to ensure membership and that your surgeon has had the proper specialty training in plastic surgery. Be absolutely sure your surgeon has privileges in a nearby hospital to do the procedures you are interested in. Take your time. Most cosmetic procedures are elective procedures, not emergencies. Time spent learning about the surgical procedures and surgeons you are considering will pay great dividends in terms of your understanding and emotional comfort later. See a number of different board-certified plastic surgeons in consultation. This will clarify in your own mind those personal characteristics that you would like your plastic surgeon to have. From discussions with our patients, we believe the most important of these include the following:
Integrity:
Find a surgeon who is honest in his/her assessment of your needs and of their ability to meet your expectations. Be wary of the doctor minimizing your recovery period and telling you just how "easy and simple" everything is going to be.Caring:
Find a doctor with a good bedside manner who conveys to you that they care about you as a person as well as a patient.Communication:
Plastic surgery is a process not a single operation. Find someone with whom you can talk easily. It is just as important that he/she understands what you desire as that you understand what they are describing.Perfectionism:
Find a surgeon who is accurate in his/her evaluation of your needs, precise in the execution of their operative plan, and meticulous in their craftsmanship. Although perfection is unattainable, this doctor will do what ever it takes to do the best job possible without cutting corners, not only to satisfy the patient, but also to meet their own personal standards of excellence.
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