Just as making the decision to have plastic surgery is significant, so too is choosing the right plastic surgeon for any procedure. For those interested in plastic surgery, it is paramount to consider the procedure as they would any medical treatment and check their physician's credentials.
Whether considering a minor office procedure or surgery, patients must determine that their physician is qualified to perform the procedure. Last year alone, 6.5 million surgical and less-invasive cosmetic plastic surgery treatments were performed. Alongside the growing popularity of plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments is the growing number of unqualified surgeons willing to operate on the increasing number of patients. Often people do not realize that there are no regulations governing what type of medical practitioner can perform plastic surgery procedures. The lure of easy money inspires many people to open up shop after completing just weekend course or other minimal training. This is why it is important for you to make sure you select a well-qualified medical professional trained specifically in the procedures you are seeking. Whatever procedure you need or are considering, make sure the surgeon you select is board certified in a specialty that is pertinent to your procedure, ideally by the American Board of Medical Specialties. In order to ensure you are well informed about your cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, as well as to make certain you are choosing a qualified plastic surgeon, the American Society of Plastic Surgeon recommends following the subsequent guidelines: Check Board Certification Verify whether or not your plastic surgeon is certified by a board approved by The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The only board recognized by the ABMS, The American Board of Plastic Surgery, certifies that Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons are certified to perform plastic surgery procedures of the face as well as all areas of the body. Membership in the ASPS also ensures that the plastic surgeon has graduated from an accredited school as well as completed a minimum of five years of additional residency, typically comprised of three years of general surgery and two years of plastic surgery. Look For Specialty Group Affiliation In addition to ensuring the plastic surgeon is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, ASPS membership also attests to the physician's ongoing attendance of medical education courses which adhere to a strict code of ethics. Ensure Safe Facilities Each patient undergoing plastic surgery has the right to a safe procedure, and taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the facilities is an important part of any procedure. Only qualified medical personnel should be responsible for administering injectables, which should be done in a setting comprised of the necessary equipment to properly observe patients and manage potential complications. Safe facilities also provide for the disposal of medical waste as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. Membership in the ASPS requires that all physicians performing plastic surgery under anesthesia do so in an accredited, licensed facility. Dr. Davis operates both in-hospital at Sequoia Hospital (beautifully rebuilt and modernized) in Redwood City, and at The Plastic Surgery Center outpatient facility in Palo Alto which is staffed by anesthesiologists who also staff Stanford University Medical Center. They are all excellent and highly regarded medical facilities and staff. Be Informed Patients should be well informed about the procedure they will be undergoing. Speak with family and friends about the treatment, as well as the physician. Personal consultations with your physician should result in a complete understanding of the risks, benefits, alternatives and reasoning for the proposed treatment, which should be followed up with an informed consent form to be signed by the patient. Request A Medical Evaluation To ensure the appropriate treatment, consult with a physician for an evaluation along with a full medical history for any cosmetic plastic surgery procedure. Ask Questions: Where will my surgery be performed? Are you certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery? What is the best procedure for me? What are the risks involved with my procedure? Will my procedure need to be repeated? How much downtime should I expect? Do you have hospital privileges to perform cosmetic surgery? (This last question can be quite telling, a surgeon may have hospital admitting privileges, but may not have operating privileges, or privileges to perform specific plastic surgical or cosmetic procedures at that same hospital. Dr. Davis has privileges in-hospital to perform all of the procedures he performs in his office or outpatient facilities.) To request a personal consultation with Dr. Davis, please contact our office in Palo Alto by email, or by phone at 650/326-6800. A virtual or phone consultation can also be requested for patients on a tight schedule, or for patients living outside of the San Francisco Bay area. Davis Plastic Surgery 1691 El Camino Real, Suite 400 Palo Alto, CA 94306 650.326.6800 |