Why Plastic Surgery Board Certified Matters

Board certification for plastic surgeons is always relevant. Certification is an assurance for the public that the medical specialist has successfully completed an approved educational program, examination and evaluation that he or she is fully skilled and experienced to provide standard patient care in plastic surgery. Legally, any doctor can perform surgery regardless of their training. Some untrained doctors in plastic surgery may even call themselves “plastic surgeons”. In addition to that, not all doctors listed in the Yellow Pages Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery have completed any training in plastic surgery. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is among the specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Dr. Bloch is a board certified Chicago plastic surgeon who owns Body by Bloch.

Choose a surgeon you can trust

Plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a surgeon you can trust.

Choosing an ASPS Member Surgeon ensures that you have selected a physician who:

• • Has completed at least five years of surgical training with a minimum of two years in plastic surgery.
  • Is trained and experienced in all plastic surgery procedures, including breast, body, face and reconstruction.
  • Operates only in accredited medical facilities
  • Adheres to a strict code of ethics.
  • Fulfills continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.
  • Is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or in Canada by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®.

Facility accreditation

Board certified plastic surgeons are required to operate from accredited facilities. Dr. Bloch operates from his fine facility Body by Bloch which is accredited. An accredited facility for plastic surgery is one that must adhere to strict national standards for operating room safety, surgeon’s credentials and skilled support staff. The facility could be a hospital, a day or outpatient centre or an ambulatory setting. If you are to recuperate in an accredited facility after plastic surgery, you should receive around-the-clock care by a minimum of 2 or more licensed staff members. The facility should also have necessary medication and equipment to cater for any complications. The surgical facility should as well have a defined emergency plan which should be promptly implemented should any complication arise that requires urgent hospital transfer.

Questions to ask my plastic surgeon

You’ll achieve the best results from plastic surgery if you and your surgeon communicate openly and work together to achieve realistic goals. An understanding of your goals, expectations and motivation is essential to a successful partnership between you and your surgeon, helping both of you to determine whether plastic surgery is the right choice for you.

Use this checklist as a guide during your consultation:

• • Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
  • Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
  • Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
  • How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
  • Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
  • Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
  • How many procedures of this type have you performed?
  • Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
  • Where and how will you perform my procedure?
  • How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
  • What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
  • How are complications handled?
  • What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of my surgery?
  • Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for each procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

Patient safety

Board certification can help you be on the safe side after plastic surgery but is not a guarantee to good results. The decision to have cosmetic surgery is extremely personal and one has to decide if the benefits will achieve his or her goals and whether the risks and complications involved are acceptable. You should feel free to ask questions about your surgery and discuss your concerns with your doctor. You will be allowed to sign consent forms after you make your individual decision. Having surgery should not be the end of your relationship with your surgeon. A board certified plastic surgeon will offer after care service. Though plastic surgery results are permanent and will be affected by normal aging, good partnership with your surgeon will ensure quality care to prolong the results.

To book a consultation with board certified Dr. Bloch call 847-432-0840