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Trusted Plastic Surgery FAQ's
- 1. Why the "plastic" in plastic surgery?
- 2. What is the significance of board certification?
- 3. What is the difference between reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery?
- 4. Is there any additional cost for my Personal Image Consultant?
- 5. What is TrustedPlasticSurgery's commitment to exceptional service?
- 6. How does TrustedPlasticSurgery's network of board-certified surgeons ensure the safety of outpatient plastic surgery?
- 7. How can I be sure that my surgeon has adequate training?
- 8. How can I determine if my plastic surgeon's surgical facility meets acceptable safety standards?
- 9. Why is it so important for my plastic surgeon to know detailed information about my personal and family health history, even if I am only having a simple cosmetic procedure?
- 10. Which breast implants should I get?
- 11. Are all TrustedPlasticSurgery surgeons board certified?
- 12. Do you have a board-certified doctor in my area?
- 13. Can I have more than one cosmetic procedure performed during the same surgery?
- 14. How do you protect the confidentiality of my health information?
- 15. Is there a minimum age for specific procedures?
- 16. Where are your offices?
1. Why the "plastic" in plastic surgery?
Although some procedures do use implants that are made of plastic, silicone, or similar materials, plastic surgery got its name long before these were created. The word plastic comes from the Greek word plastikos, which means “to shape” or “to mold.” Plastic surgery remolds, reshapes, or rebuilds the tissues of the body either to improve appearance or to return function or normality.
2. What is the significance of board certification?
Board certification is the best way that you can determine if a surgeon or physician has the knowledge and experience you need. In the United States, any physician can practice any branch of medicine he or she wants as long as they have a medical license in their state. Most practice in the medical fields where they have received advanced training after medical school. However, there are organizations called medical specialty boards that create criteria and test physicians and surgeons in those specialties and certify the ones who pass.
A physician or surgeon may say that he or she is board certified, if you are considering plastic surgery, make sure he or she is certified by an appropriate medical board. In plastic surgery, the leading board that offers certification is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A surgeon may also be certified in plastic surgery of the head and neck by the American Board of Otolaryngology. Other boards that offer certification that is appropriate to cosmetic medicine include the American Board of Surgery, the American Board of Ophthalmology, and the American Board of Dermatology.
3. What is the difference between reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery?
Although there is some overlap between the two types of surgery, there is a difference. Reconstructive surgery is surgery done to improve function or to create or recreate a normal appearance. It is done to correct problems stemming from birth defects, disease, or accidents. Cosmetic surgery is done to improve the appearance of someone who is otherwise normal. It is done to make someone look better. You can think of reconstructive surgery as surgery that you need and cosmetic surgery as surgery that you want, but don't absolutely need. In general, health insurance companies will cover reconstructive surgery, but not cosmetic surgery.
Some plastic surgery procedures may be both reconstructive and cosmetic. A rhinoplasty (nose job) may be needed to help improve breathing by straightening structures inside the nose, and this may also improve appearance at the same time.
4. Is there any additional cost for my Personal Image Consultant?
No. The assistance and advice you get from your Personal Image Consultant is part of the service provided by TrustedPlasticSurgery.
5. What is TrustedPlasticSurgery's commitment to exceptional service?
It's simple. We want you to be happy with your cosmetic surgery experience from beginning to end, so we offer personalized attention from your very first phone call.
We take away the pressure of finding a qualified surgeon by providing a nationwide network of highly-qualified board certified surgeons for you to choose from. You can rest assured that our surgeons are among the best in the country. We'll set up a consultation with a surgeon near you who can fill you in on your desired procedure and help you decide if it's the right choice for you.
We are dedicated to helping you find the right doctor for you. If there is something about your doctor that you are not happy or comfortable with after your initial consultation, we'll set up an additional consultation until you are satisfied and as long as there are participating surgeons in your area with no additional charge.
We also offer personalized guidance through our Personal Image Consultants. A consultant will be with you from start to finish, to give you advice and assistance.
Because every one of our surgeons is board certified, you know you are dealing with a plastic surgeon with the right training and experience you want and need. Most cosmetic surgery procedures are performed as outpatient surgery, also called ambulatory surgery, which means that you go home the same day as your surgery.
All of our surgeons use surgical facilities that are accredited. Hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), which also accredits freestanding surgical centers and office-based surgical suites. Freestanding centers and surgical suites can also be accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. These accreditations mean that the facilities have passed rigorous inspections.
7. How can I be sure that my surgeon has adequate training?
You can know that your surgeon has the right training and experience that you need by ensuring that he or she is board certified. For example, a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery has graduated from an accredited medical school, has completed at least 5 years of additional training as a resident surgeon including a minimum 3-year residency in an accredited general surgery program and a minimum 2-year residency in plastic surgery. Then the candidate must pass rigorous written and oral tests before he or she is certified. And after all that, they must be recertified every 10 years.
8. How can I determine if my plastic surgeon's surgical facility meets acceptable safety standards?
Cosmetic surgery may be performed in a hospital, in a freestanding surgical clinic, or in a specially equipped room in a surgeon's office. If the surgery is not being performed in a hospital, you should make sure the surgery site is accredited. Several organizations, including the American Association for Accreditation For Ambulatory Surgery Facilities and the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care, inspect and accredit surgical units that are not in a hospital. Ask to see a certificate of accreditation and make sure it is current.
Surgery is surgery, and no surgery is completely without risk. Your risks go up if you have any underlying health conditions or a family history of health problems or problems with anesthesia. No matter how minor the surgery is, your surgeon (and the anesthesiologist) must know about your personal and family health history so they can give you the best care. Your surgeon will ask questions about your health and your family at your consultation appointment and it is very unwise to hold back any information.
10. Which breast implants should I get?
That is a choice that should be made between you and your surgeon. There are basically two kinds of breast implants available in the United States, saline-filled and silicone-gel filled. Another type of silicone-filled implant called a gummy bear implant is still being tested and is not available to the general public.
In addition, with both saline and silicone implants, you have a choice of whether you want round or shaped implants, smooth or textured surface, and whether the implants will be below your chest muscles or not. All of these choices have their advantages and disadvantages. You can learn more about the various options in breast implants at BreastImplants4You.com (open link in separate window)
11. Are all TrustedPlasticSurgery surgeons board certified?
Yes, each and every one of them.
12. Do you have a board-certified doctor in my area?
We have a network of more than 170 board-certified surgeons across the United States. More than likely, one of our surgeons is near you.
13. Can I have more than one cosmetic procedure performed during the same surgery?
Yes. Many people combine two or more plastic surgery procedures because it also combines the recovery times and reduces expenses. Common combinations include breast augmentation and liposuction, or a face lift and rhinoplasty.
However, combining procedures means that the total length of the surgery will be longer and can increase the risks of the surgeries. While not everyone is a good candidate for combined procedures, many people are.
14. How do you protect the confidentiality of my health information?
By federal law (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) physicians, other healthcare providers, and hospitals must keep all medical records confidential unless you specifically indicate otherwise or unless the information is needed to facilitate other medical treatment. You may be required to sign a form to allow your doctor to share information with anyone else. For example, your surgeon cannot share your medical information with your employer or your health insurance company without your approval. Health providers that do not keep your information confidential can be fined.
15. Is there a minimum age for specific procedures?
There are some restrictions for some types of cosmetic surgery. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration restricts saline breast implants to women over age 18 and silicone breast implants to women over age 22, except in the cases where the breasts need to be reconstructed. Other procedures should not be done until a person has finished most of their growth. A person should not get a cosmetic rhinoplasty until their middle to late teens, when their face and nose has completed or nearly completed growing, for example, although birth defects or badly broken noses can be repaired before then.
However, you must be 18 or older to enter a contract with TrustedPlasticSurgery.
Our administrative offices are located in Alpharetta, GA. However, we have a network of more than 170 board-certified surgeons around the country.
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