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When choosing a plastic surgeon for a cosmetic procedure, patients mainly focus on getting amazing results with minimum recovery time. However, your safety and peace of mind during the process are equally important. At Parker Center for Plastic Surgery, we provide a culture of plastic surgery safety for patients from Paramus, NJ, and surrounding areas.
As you’re reviewing plastic surgery centers for a cosmetic procedure, you should thoroughly research four components: the plastic surgeon, your anesthesia provider, the surgical staff, and the surgical facility.
Choosing Your Plastic Surgeon
As with any partnership, you should enjoy a high degree of trust and open communication with your plastic surgeon. This foundation of trust will be built by the surgeon’s certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), years of practice relevant to your procedure, and the number of surgeries performed daily. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the ABPS has a rigorous qualification, examination, and recertification process that ensures your plastic surgeon is qualified and accomplished in their field.
A board-certified plastic surgeon can give you amazing long-term results, while a procedure performed by an inexperienced surgeon might lead to unsatisfactory results, related health issues, and unnecessary costs. Dr. Parker has extensive experience in his field, has performed over 35,000 surgeries, and is board certified.
The 4-point safety checklist
1.Surgeon credentials
The first thing to confirm is ABPS board certification verify it directly at abplsurg.org. Certification requires completing an approved residency, passing written and oral exams, and maintaining ongoing education. Beyond that, ask about experience with your specific procedure, not surgery in general. Dr. Parker has performed over 35,000 surgeries across a broad range of cosmetic procedures, giving patients a high level of confidence in their outcomes.
During your consultation, ask to see the surgeon’s before-and-after photos. Look for patients who have a body type and goals similar to yours. Consistent results in many cases are more important than just a few impressive photos.
You should also ask how many surgeries the surgeon performs each day. A busy schedule may reduce the time and attention given to each patient. It is also important to make sure the surgeon has hospital privileges at a nearby hospital. This means their skills and qualifications have been reviewed and approved by a medical team.
The Anesthesiologist
The anesthesiologist works closely with your plastic surgeon during your procedure. Their job is to safely manage your anesthesia and help keep you comfortable during surgery and recovery.
Like your surgeon, the anesthesiologist should be board certified, experienced, and trained in modern techniques. Since anesthesia is an important part of surgery, you should feel confident and comfortable with the care you receive before, during, and after the procedure.
At Parker Center for Plastic Surgery, the anesthesiologist and Dr. Parker focus on helping patients recover quickly and comfortably with fewer side effects after surgery.
3.The Surgery Team
Other medical staff, such as registered nurses and surgical technicians, should be well-credentialed with extensive experience working beside the plastic surgeon on relevant procedures. All interactions with the medical staff should be comfortable and positive for you before, during, and after your surgery.
4.The Surgery Facility
Your surgeon should perform your cosmetic procedure in a surgery center that duplicates the safety of a hospital and offers state-of-the-art equipment. An important factor is whether the plastic surgeon has an AAAASF-accredited on-site surgery center. AAAASF accreditation holds outpatient and office-based facilities to hospital standards and maintains rigorous requirements for a clean and safe operating environment. Additionally, the surgical environment should be prepped for any contingencies that may arise, including if a patient needs to be transported to a hospital. At Parker Center for Plastic Surgery, a registered nurse is available 24 hours for your post-operative care, if necessary.
Your safety, comfort level, and peace of mind are essential components of a successful cosmetic procedure. Ensuring that your plastic surgeon and medical staff are well-credentialed and the surgery facility is AAAASF-accredited should be key steps in your journey.
Dr. Parker is a board-certified plastic surgeon in the Paramus, NJ, area and can help you achieve excellent results with safety and care. To learn more about our safe and effective cosmetic procedures, please request a consultation or call us at (201) 817-4123 to schedule an appointment.
Why safety standards matter?
Cosmetic surgery is elective but it is still surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, complications are significantly more likely at non-accredited facilities and with non-board-certified providers. Choosing a surgeon based only on price or a social media portfolio without verifying credentials puts your health at risk.
A rigorous safety checklist protects you from unsatisfactory results, preventable complications, and unnecessary costs from corrective procedures. It also ensures you have legal and medical recourse if anything goes wrong.
Frequently asked questions(FAQs)
1.What does AAAASF accreditation mean for a plastic surgery center?
2.Is ABPS board certification required for plastic surgery?
3.What is the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon?
A board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS) completes a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery. A “cosmetic surgeon” may have trained in any medical specialty and chosen to offer cosmetic procedures. There is no ABPS-equivalent board for cosmetic surgery. When evaluating surgeons, always look for ABPS certification specifically.
4.How do I verify a surgeon’s board certification?
You can verify ABPS certification directly at the American Board of Plastic Surgery’s public directory at abplsurg.org. Enter the surgeon’s name and state. You can also verify medical licenses through your state’s medical board website in New Jersey, that is the State Board of Medical Examiners.
Refrences
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/how-to-ensure-your-plastic-surgery-is-safe
Office-Based Plastic Surgery
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9645793/
Dr. John Doe, MD, FACS
Dr. John Doe is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over 15 years of experience in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Dr. John Doe's surgical facility maintains full compliance with CDC and FDA sterilization standards and has contributed to multiple publications related to cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.