You may be surprised to learn that any licensed medical doctor, regardless of training, can legally perform plastic surgery and call themselves a plastic surgeon. Complications can happen with any type of surgery, however, confirming you are working with a board-certified plastic surgeon in AZ serves as a warranty that the surgeon you are working with has received comprehensive training and has successfully passed multiple exams in order to receive that certification.
It is very important to make sure your doctor has the proper experience, education, and recent practice to perform your specific procedure. As with many thriving industries, methods and technologies improve, and you don’t want to be stuck with an outdated technique.
General plastic surgery training includes 16 years of post-high school education, including specific training in both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery. Board certification according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is defined as follows
“Board-certified plastic surgeons have not only met very demanding requirements in order to sit for their boards, but they have also successfully passed a written and a 2-day oral examination, being critically evaluated for their fund of knowledge, their ethical standing and their safe and effective approach to multiple reconstructive and cosmetic challenges.”
A board-certified plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is the only board the American Board of Medical Specialties recognizes to certify doctors in the full range of plastic and reconstructive procedures. Certification is not easily obtained and should be considered necessary from every patient in order to receive optimal results and patient satisfaction.
As the name suggests, a double board-certified plastic surgeon means your surgeon has successfully passed not just one, but two extensive and all-encompassing exams recognized by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The second certification comes after completing a fellowship in the area of focus.
Dr. Rimma Finkel is a double board-certified plastic surgeon in AZ, specializing in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery of the breast, cosmetic surgery of the face and body, body contouring, as well as other types of reconstructive surgery. To learn more about Dr. Finkel and what she can do for you, click here.
In order to receive the best results from your plastic surgery, you will need open communication and a sense of comfort with your surgeon. Having realistic goals and expectations is essential for a successful partnership between you and your surgeon. Before your consultation, consider writing down the following questions (and bring a pen to write down answers and details you don’t want to forget).
In addition, questions to ask yourself
Keep Reading: Expectation vs Reality – How To Set Yourself Up For Success When Getting Plastic Surgery
While both share the goal of an optimal cosmetic outcome, a cosmetic surgeon and a reconstructive surgeon are required for very different reasons.
One requires a cosmetic surgeon when a patient has a desire to adjust their normal anatomy to make it more visually appealing. Common cosmetic procedures include breast augmentation, liposuction, and a facelift, and are not considered medically necessary.
A reconstructive plastic surgeon corrects deformities caused by trauma, disease, or birth defects to restore function and normal appearance. Some examples include breast reconstruction following a mastectomy for breast cancer, reconstructive surgery after burn injuries, and skin cancer excision and reconstruction (Mohs Reconstruction).
The key to a successful plastic surgery procedure is choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon in AZ. By selecting a surgeon that is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, you’re safe to feel confident that your surgeon has completed the necessary training and experience to perform your surgery safely.
Are you considering a plastic surgery procedure? After doing some of your own research into your specific procedure of interest, get in touch with Dr. Rimma Finkel and her staff. We look forward to working with you.
