What does “board-certified” mean?

Finding a well-trained, experienced plastic surgeon is one of the most important steps in ensuring that you achieve the results you want. A board certification means that the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) pronounced the plastic surgeon to be one of the leading experts in the nation. The ABPS is the only board that certifies plastic surgeons. Those who are board-certified meet rigorous standards, graduate from an accredited medical school, pass comprehensive exams and have at least six years of surgical training with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training. In addition to their board-certification, when you’re looking for an expert plastic surgeon, you should check: Professional memberships – Is the surgeon a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)? This professional society promotes education and standards among board-certified plastic surgeons.

Do I Need a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Choosing your plastic surgeon is one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your procedure. When you are researching surgeons, make sure to select one who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Board certification ensures that your surgeon has met stringent requirements in training and practice.

Am I a Good Candidate for Surgery?

Although being in good general health and prepared emotionally and financially for plastic surgery are good indicators that you may be ready for surgery, determining whether you are a good candidate for plastic surgery requires an individual consultation with a plastic surgeon. At LA Plastic Surgery, we treat each patient as the unique individual they are and fully discuss your goals and options to help you determine if plastic surgery is the right choice for you right now.

Should I Quit Smoking Before Surgery?

Yes. You should stop smoking before surgery. It is not only good for your overall health to give up cigarettes, it will also aid your recovery from surgery. If you are a smoker, it is important to be honest with your plastic surgery about your smoking habits because smoking can have such a significant effect on your recovery.

How much will my surgery cost?

This will vary depending on the surgery that is best for you. For example, a “tummy tuck” cost will be different for different patients depending on the amount of work that is required. In order to give you a realistic quote, your surgeon needs to be able to speak with and examine you to have an understanding of your particular needs. At LA Plastic Surgery, our quotes are all inclusive including procedure costs, facility fee, anesthesia/sedation, and we include complimentary massage/facial treatments at our Spa ( LA Skin Spa) in most of our procedures, as well as the best hand-picked products by Dr. Melinda Lacerna to assist in the healing and bettering of surgical results.

How much time will I need to be off work after my surgery?

This will depend on the surgery that you have; however, even for our “big” surgeries most patients are back to work within about two weeks. If you have particular job requirements or restrictions, be sure to go over these details at your consultation visit. We are also always happy to provide documentation to your employer for necessary time away.

Is It Expensive?

Quality cosmetic surgery requires years of training and experience on the part of the surgeon and anesthesiologist. You should not be gouged, but do expect to pay a fair price for your procedure. You should also expect attention to detail, and attentive staff and excellence in the performance of your surgery. The pleasure of a bargain is forgotten sooner than the memory of a job poorly done. As in anything else, you pay for what you get. Be sure to check your surgeons’ credentials and ask questions before you have surgery.

Are the scars very visible?

We try to hide them as much as possible in the less visible areas of the body because it is not possible to know how they will scar. Our goal is to see them as little as possible and if they are we can improve them with laser and other equipment.

After I schedule surgery what is the process?

After you have your surgery date set, you will be scheduled for a pre-operative appointment at our office 2 weeks prior to your surgery date. At this appointment, we will review your medical history, prescribe any post-operative medications, provide you with information on post-operative care and follow up appointments, you will sign your surgery consent forms, have your before photos taken, and your remaining balance for surgery will be collected at this appointment. We recommend that you bring your caretaker to this appointment with you to be present for post-care instructions. You will need to also schedule a medical clearance appointment with your primary care physician within 30-days prior to your surgery date as well as before your pre-operative appointment.