Q&A
Q: Plastic Surgery: Is it possible to get septoplasty and rhinoplasty done in the same operation?
A: Absolutely yes, you can have septoplasty (a breathing improvement operation) and rhinoplasty (a cosmetic shape change) at the same time. In fact, it is better to do them together, rather than two separate procedures, requiring two recoveries.
Q: Should all of us get plastic surgery to have better opportunities in life?
A: ALL people getting plastic surgey is a strong suggestion. Reminds me of a Dr Seuss book about Star Bellied Sneetches who all get stars on their bellies because it is the cool thing to do. Next thing you know it's the Sneetches without stars on their bellies who are in fashion and everyone wants the stars removed. Not everyone needs or should have surgery, but in the right patient, even minor changes can have a big impact.
Q: What does a double board certified plastic surgeon mean?
A: The ‘double” board certification many doctors advertise is a bit misleading and absolutely DOES NOT mean they are more qualified. In most cases they have less plastic surgery training than those certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery only. It is a marketing scheme to come across as more qualified.
Q: Are cosmetic doctors and plastic surgeons as well versed in medicine as say typical non-cosmetic doctors and surgeons would be?
A: Plastic Surgeons that are Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in the US typically are at the very top of their medical school classes. Residency spots are extremely competitive to get. When I applied back 20+ years ago there were 5000 applicants for the general surgery part of my training and only 9 selected and 225 applicants for plastic surgery and only 2 were selected. Now it is a bit less competitive for general surgery but plastic surgery is still one of the very hardest residency programs to get into. This means that plastic surgeons usually out perform most all other doctors in their class in all subjects, including general medicine and pediatrics.
Q: Do plastic surgeons operate on all parts of the body or do only specialized surgeons exist?
A: This can get confusing to consumers. Plastic Surgeons who do a residency in plastic surgery train for 6–7 years after medical school in extremely rigorous conditions. We learn how to reconstruct the body from head to toe, infants to the elderly. With all that training some do specialize in just one area ( burns , pediatrics, cosmetic surgery, breast reconstruction, hand surgery, cancer reconstruction, microsurgery). Many will do a bit of many areas. Over time, surgeons tend to focus on 5 or 6 of their favorite surgeries ( nose, face, tummy, breast are my top 4).