Now more than ever, be sure that the doctor you choose for your plastic surgery is really a plastic surgeon.

There is an alarming trend in east Tennessee that you need 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. Even more disturbing doctors, with no surgical training whatsoever, have begun performing and aggressively marketing plastic surgery procedures in their offices here in Knoxville.

The first questions everyone asks when we warn 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 only 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 objectively qualified and not a self-proclaimed expert?

 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 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 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?'" 

Top 10 Reasons you could be in the wrong place for your cosmetic surgery

Your doctor promotes procedures he "developed", machines not found anywhere else or non-surgical facelifts- If something is safe and really works all the board-certified plastic surgeons in the area will perform it.

Your doctor does not have privileges to perform the surgery in a hospital or accredited surgery center- Board certified plastic surgeons do have hospital privileges to perform the same operations they do in their offices. However, non-surgeons will not be granted these privileges because they are not trained to do them. So, if they say they can only do this in their office and not in a hospital or surgery center, watch out!

Your doctor promises little or no recovery time- Surgery always involves recovery time, no matter what kind of anesthesia is used. You should have a realistic expectation of the healing process so you can take the time off you will need. Then, if you feel up to it, you can always go back early.

Your doctor gives you a price on a procedure that is much less than what you were quoted somewhere else- This may be an indication that he has decided after a weekend course that he wants to become a plastic surgeon, and is looking to drum up some business. In these situations, you may very well get what you pay for. While cost is always a consideration, competence is a much more important one. Don't buy a discount parachute!

You just don't feel comfortable with the doctor or his staff- You may feel rushed or do not have your concerns addressed. You may feel that he is doing what he wants, and not what you want. Whatever the reason, it is critical you be comfortable with your choice, so even if it is our office.....keep looking.

You ask about his training or certification, and you don't get a straight answer- Board certified plastic surgeons are proud of their background and training. They will gladly tell you about this. If you hear that your doctor doesn't need this certification, or it wasn't available to him, or that he has certification from another board, this should raise red flags.

You have been told by a plastic surgeon that a breast lift is required to achieve a good result but this doctor says that all you need is a larger implant- Doctors who are not board certified in plastic surgery will not be able to perform more involved operations, or may not know when they are needed. This is a recipe for your disappointment.

You are in a spa- Although good cosmetic surgery does produce beautiful results, it is first and foremost a medical procedure and your safety comes first. We like our pedicures and massages as much as anyone, so we suggest a better approach. Have your surgery done by a plastic surgeon, and visit the spa for some pampering while you recover.

And the number one sign you are in the wrong place for your cosmetic surgery: You've looked on his brochures, his yellow pages ad and all over his office and you can't find this logo anywhere.

This logo is your best friend when considering plastic surgery. If you don't see it you are not consulting with a real plastic surgeon. Don't be confused by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery or other boards mentioning plastic surgery. Be aware that these are self-appointed boards. The American Board of Medical Specialties does not recognize them and their members are not board-certified plastic surgeons. Remember... as a patient, you should be asking yourself, 'Why wouldn't this surgeon be board-certified in plastic surgery?"

What you should know about Lipodissolve.

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 2006 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 restylane 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. For the safety and well being of his patients, Dr. Reath does not perform these procedures in his office.

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 tummy tuck and liposuction 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.

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 on the "Contact Us" button in the navigational bar at the bottom of your screen.

Plastic Surgery Knoxville, Tennessee

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