When you are considering cosmetic surgery, you want a highly qualified doctor dedicated to providing outstanding care. When you choose a doctor who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, you can be confident he or she meets nationally recognized standards for education, knowledge, experience and skills to provide high quality care in Board Certification goes above and beyond basic medical licensure. All Dallas Society of Plastic Surgery members are Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Plastic surgery involves many choices. Choosing a Dallas Society of Plastic Surgery member ensures that you have selected a physician who:
- Has completed at least five years of surgical training with a minimum of two years in plastic surgery.
- Is trained and experienced in all plastic surgery procedures, including breast, body, face and reconstruction.
- Operates only in accredited medical facilities
- Adheres to a strict code of ethics.
- Fulfills continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.
- Is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or in Canada by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®.
Sources: American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Teens frequently gain self-esteem and confidence when their physical problems are corrected. A teen may wish to correct a misshapen nose, protruding ears, overly large breasts, asymmetrical breasts, or severe acne and scarring. Not every teenager seeking plastic surgery is well suited for an operation. Teens must demonstrate emotional maturity and an understanding of the limitations of plastic surgery. The ASPS cautions teenagers and parents to keep in mind that plastic surgery is real surgery, with great benefits, but also carries some risks.Plastic Surgery for Teenagers
Ethnic patients are becoming increasingly aware of what options are available to people with various skin types and facial features. In the U.S., cosmetic procedures among Hispanics is up 6% and among African Americans is up 5% compared to 3% rise in Caucasians. Plastic surgery has become more mainstream for all ethnicities, Plastic Surgery for Ethnic Patients
There has been a rise in the number of people traveling abroad to have plastic surgery. The cheaper costs may be tempting, but consider the risks. For more patient safety information, read this article about the Dangers of Plastic Surgery Tourism.
You’ll achieve the best results from plastic surgery if you and your surgeon communicate openly and work together to achieve realistic goals. An understanding of your goals, expectations and motivation is essential to a successful partnership between you and your surgeon, helping both of you to determine whether plastic surgery is the right choice for you.
Use this checklist as a guide during your consultation:
- Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
- Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
- Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
- How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
- Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
- Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
- How many procedures of this type have you performed?
- Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
- Where and how will you perform my procedure?
- How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
- What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
- How are complications handled?
- What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of my surgery?
- Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for each procedure and what results are reasonable for me?
Source: AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS
The terms “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” are not interchangeable. Cosmetic surgery is the surgery of appearance. It is elective and focuses on the aesthetics of beauty.Plastic surgery includes both reconstructive surgery and aesthetic surgery. The only specialty which trains surgeons in all facets of cosmetic surgery is plastic surgery alone. Only plastic surgeons have gone through the years of rigorous training needed to safely handle any complications that may arise during the procedure.
This article from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, explains in more detail….
