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First Things First: What You Should Know Before You Have Plastic Surgery

Not every doctor who advertises plastic surgery is really a plastic surgeon. So how do you know if your doctor has the proper credentials to perform your plastic surgery?

This page will address some very important fundamental issues about plastic surgery, such as, how to pick a plastic surgeon, the questions to ask before you have plastic surgery and the realistic expectations for cosmetic surgery. In a word, plastic surgery education is key.

To this end, Dr. David Reath has always been very involved with educating the public about plastic surgery. Because of this passion, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the foremost authority in plastic surgery, recently asked Dr. Reath to be Vice-Chairman of the national Plastic Surgery Education Committee. 

If you are researching plastic surgery, you may have questions or suggestions for topics that you would like to know more about. Chances are if you want to know more, others will too. Please send Dr. Reath these thoughts and suggestions by clicking Ask Dr. Reath. Your input might be a great subject for a blog-post or even influence plastic surgery education at the national level.

Be sure that the doctor you choose for your plastic surgery is really a plastic surgeon.

There is a trend in Knoxville, Tennessee that you should know about if you or a friend is considering plastic surgery. It is now common to find surgeons certified in other specialties performing plastic surgery procedures. Doctors, with no formal surgical training, have begun performing and marketing plastic surgery procedures in their offices here in Knoxville.

The first questions everyone asks when we tell them about this is, "Isn't there some kind of a law that prevents doctors from performing surgeries they are not trained to perform?" The answer is unfortunately no. It is not against the law for a doctor with 4 years of medical school, and no surgical training, to set up an office and perform plastic surgery. And it is not against the law for a physician certified in another specialty such as family practice, or dermatology to begin performing plastic surgery. With the demand for plastic surgery increasing and insurance payments to physicians decreasing, it is likely we will see more, not less of this.

It is not enough anymore to just ask a doctor if they are "Board-certified". Most doctors are Board-certified in some medical specialty. What you need is a doctor Board-certified in plastic surgery.

So how can you be sure that the physician you are considering is the one best qualified to do your plastic surgery?

This logo is your best friend when considering plastic surgery.

Be absolutely certain that he/she is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The American Board of Medical Specialties, an organization that oversees all medical specialty boards, has certified that each ASPS member is uniquely qualified to perform plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body. In addition ASPS members must regularly attend continuing plastic surgery medical education courses and adhere to a strict code of ethics.

All have met the rigid requirements of 4 years medical school, and at least 6 to 9 years of surgical training with the final years dedicated exclusively to plastic surgery.

It is one thing to have training, but it's another to have your plastic surgery competency tested. This is why board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is so crucial.  Before having plastic surgery by a doctor who is not a member of the ASPS, here is some wise advice from  ASPS President Richard D'Amico, MD: "As a patient, you should be asking yourself, 'Why wouldn't this surgeon be Board-certified in plastic surgery?'" 

Although good credentials can't guarantee a successful outcome, when you choose an ASPS Member Surgeon, you know that your doctor:

* Has at least six years of surgical training, with 3 years specifically in plastic surgery.
* Is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
* Operates only in accredited medical facilities.
* Adheres to a strict code of ethics.
* Fulfills continuing education requirements, including patient safety techniques.

The only board that certifies plastic surgeon is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Don't be confused by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery or other boards mentioning plastic surgery. Be aware that these are self-appointed boards (meaning any group of doctors could start one.) The American Board of Medical Specialties does not recognize them and their members are not Board-certified plastic surgeons. Dr. Reath addresses this issue on a recent Truth-O-Meter Tuesday video.

The members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery are surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Answer: False!

Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon

1. What are your credentials and plastic surgery training experience?

Patients are often referred to a plastic surgeon by their primary care physician; however, it is important to know what qualifies the surgeon to perform your procedure. Ask your surgeon if he/she is “Board- certified” in plastic surgery. ASPS Member Surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and are trained specifically in plastic surgery. They operate only in accredited medical facilities, adhere to a strict code of ethics and fulfill continuing plastic surgery education requirements, including patient safety techniques.

2. How many procedures of this type have you performed?

In addition to knowing your surgeon’s credentials, it is important to know the level of experience he/she has in performing your plastic surgery procedure. Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon is one way to ensure good results.

3. Are there alternatives to surgery?

Sometimes, surgery is not the only answer. You might be able to achieve the desired results through nonsurgical treatments. Ask your plastic surgeon about the benefits and risks of these alternatives so you can make an informed decision.

4. What do I need to do to prepare for surgery?

Certain surgeries require that you stop smoking, lose weight or follow a specific diet limiting the food you eat and the medications you take prior to your surgery; or, there may be medications that your surgeon wants you to take before your procedure. Make sure that you speak to your plastic surgeon and your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist about any allergies or about any conditions for which you are taking medication. You should mention any vitamins, supplements or over-the-counter medications as well.

5. What are the risks?

Every surgery has some associated risk. Weigh the benefits of the procedure against the risks of side effects and complications (e.g. nausea, vomiting, pain, infection, or blood clots) before making your decision.

6. How can I better manage post-surgical side effects and complications such as nausea, vomiting, pain, infection or bleeding?

Some post-surgical side effects and complications are more manageable than others. Make sure you speak to your surgeon about your risk of experiencing side effects and complications and about any medications he/she may prescribe to minimize these symptoms. For example, your surgeon may prescribe a medication before surgery to minimize nausea and vomiting or prescribe something for pain.

7. How will side effects or complications be handled?

If you should experience a side effect or complication after surgery, find out who will be available to address your concerns and when. Ask if any additional costs will be incurred should you need additional treatment.

8. How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?

Some surgeries take longer to recover from than others. Make sure you speak to your surgeon about how long it will take to heal, as well as how you might physically feel immediately following your surgery. Your surgeon will be able to inform you of the arrangements necessary to ease your recovery.

9. Will my recovery keep me from my usual, daily activities such as work?

The recovery time associated with your surgery is dependent on the nature and length of the procedure and also on the type pf work that you do. To ensure that you don’t slow your recovery, make sure you speak to your surgeon about the things you may or may not be able to do in the first few days, weeks and months after surgery.

10. Where and how will you perform my plastic surgery procedure?

Find out if your plastic surgery will be performed in a hospital, office, or ambulatory facility. Dr. Reath performs most procedures at the AAAHC accredited Physician's Surgery Center with a Board-certified anesthesiologist present at all times. Longer cases, over four hours, will be done in the hospital either as an outpatient or with an overnight stay. It is his personal preference, for the safety and well being of his patients, not to perform procedures under general anesthesia in an office setting. If the surgery you are considering is performed in an office or ambulatory facility, make sure it is accredited, which means the facility has passed strict guidelines for equipment, staff, hospital access, anesthesia administration, and more. ASPS requires all members who perform surgery under anesthesia to do so in an accredited facility. Also, if your procedure will be performed in an office or ambulatory facility ensure that your doctor has privileges to perform the same procedure at an accredited hospital.

All surgeries require some type of anesthesia, and certain types have a greater risk of

post-surgical side effects and complications. Make sure you speak to the person administering it to find out what type of anesthesia is required for your procedure (e.g. local, regional, or general anesthesia) and the side effects or complications that may be associated with it.

Often there are multiple techniques for one procedure. Ask your surgeon which surgical technique may be best for you. A less invasive technique may mean less time under anesthesia and ultimately fewer side effects.

Have a question about Board-certification? Ask Dr. Reath.

Extreme Makeover - Reality TV or a Reality for You?

Yes, we have seen Extreme Makeover. It makes great television, reality television. But is it real, and can we ever achieve it in our lives? Certainly, many of the operations are masterfully performed by well-trained plastic surgeons. But how many of us could take a break from our everyday lives and exclusively dedicate three or four months to an interventional program of crash diets, rigorous exercise and beauty consulting in addition to recovering from plastic surgery? Is it real to have a team of specialists tending to our needs 24 hours a day? More importantly, however, is the question of whether these patients have adopted lifestyle changes that will maintain the results of their makeover once they are no longer supported by the cast of professionals. We can't help but wonder what the patients from Extreme Makeover will look like in 10 years.

The good news is that we can achieve many of these changes in our own lives. We may not be able to do it in three or four months. It will probably take longer and be more gradual. But perhaps we can make changes in our lifestyles that we can maintain in order to have a real and lasting makeover. And, we can do this without leaving our real lives for months at a time.

We see remarkable changes in our patients every day, and it is always a partnership. The best and most lasting results happen when there is a joint commitment between the office staff, Dr. Reath, and our patients. Our supportive staff provides excellent patient care, motivating as well as celebrating goals as they are met. Dr. Reath dedicates his surgical skills and expertise to provide appropriate surgical changes to achieve the desired results. And our successful patients respond with the appropriate lifestyle changes to extend and maintain these results. The commitment to fitness and healthy living becomes a priority in their lives.

Daily changes such as adding strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and modifying diets make an incredible difference in how patients look and feel. One example is a mother of three who was unhappy about her weight. About a year ago, Dr. Reath performed a lipoabdominoplasty to restore her figure. Motivated by her great results, she started walking daily, progressed to running and now lifts weights with a trainer. She is careful about her diet and visits our office frequently for collagen injections and skin care. She has gradually lost over fifty pounds and radiates good health and well-being.

This is the best way to make a personal change; an extreme makeover starting within.

Plastic Surgery isn't just for supermodels and the super-rich people.

More and more people are choosing to have elective plastic surgery - in fact in 2008 the most recent ASAPS study reports a staggering 293% increase in the number of cosmetic surgical procedures performed, even as recently as 1997. And...

This is not just a female phenomenon! Last year 1.1 million men chose plastic surgery to improve their appearance. Rhinoplasty, chest reduction, liposuction, facelifts and eyelid surgery are now commonly performed on men. And men make up a large percentage of our skin care, botox and injectable filler clientele.

So, if you're considering plastic surgery, you are not alone - and one of the most important decisions is who your surgeon will be.

Dr. David B. Reath is a renowned plastic surgeon in the Knoxville area who will personally work with you to get the results you want whether you are interested in a subtle change or an extreme makeover, Dr. Reath will take the time to really listen to you. Then he'll explain all your options, answer your questions and help you decide if plastic surgery is the answer for you. It's a personal approach to personal change.

Dr. Reath performs most procedures at the Physician's Surgery Center on Sullins Avenue with a Board-certified anesthesiologist. It is his personal preference, for the safety and well being of his patients, not to perform procedures under general anesthesia in an office setting.

This website will give you information on some of the most common plastic surgery procedures and introduce you to Dr. Reath. For an appointment, just call (865) 450 - 9253, or click here to Contact Us.

For cosmetic surgery near Knoxville, Tennessee, please consider Dr. David Reath. We offer the latest advances in aesthetic surgical care to help you look and feel your best.

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