There have been many misleading advertorials recently regarding the difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery. This will help you understand how to choose the right surgeon for you and what is fact and fiction.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has recently launched an educational advertisement campaign called “Do your homework” to remind patients how important it is to properly research the training and credentials of their surgeon before undergoing any cosmetic surgical procedures. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, fellowship trained Cosmetic Surgeon and a Diplomate of the American Board of Maxiollofacial Surgery, I personally couldn’t agree more with this very important message. Sadly, the ASPS has chosen make this a “turf” war instead of educating patients on the truth of the matter. The are using scare tactics to imply that only board certified general plastic surgeons are properly qualified to safely perform cosmetic surgery or aesthetic plastic surgery.
As part of their campaign, the ASPS also recently published a negative advertisement against the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS), and for more details and to read the open letter to NewBeauty Magazine you can visit the ABCS website at www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/newbeauty-open-letter
Graphic Provided By: American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
Board certification is important, but board certification in general plastic surgery does not ensure expertise in aesthetic plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery. Board certification in general plastic surgery provides a basic foundation of surgical knowledge upon which further advanced training in a yearlong aesthetic plastic surgery or a cosmetic surgery fellowship can build expertise.
This is what makes board certification in cosmetic surgery so unique; it ensures that your surgeon has not only completed a core surgical specialty requirements (such as general plastic surgery, general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, maxillofacial surgery or otolaryngology), but also dedicated an additional full year of advanced specialty training in cosmetic surgery in the form of a fellowship in aesthetic or cosmetic surgery.
Perhaps more important, however, may be the specific experience that your surgeon has in the specific procedure you are seeking.
Much of this is very difficult to characterize, and difficult for patients to visualize without having the opportunity to speak directly with the surgeon about their specific case (every case is unique), and without having the opportunity to review lots and lots of before and after photographs of procedures similar to those you are considering so that you can fully appreciate your surgeon’s typical good, poor, and fair results.
Many physicians and surgeons from different backgrounds practice cosmetic surgery procedures and they all they all incorporate these procedures in to their ACGME training and corresponding ABMS boards or equivalent boards. These facts are very well known and accepted in the medical community.
The ABCS is the only board that exclusively examines the knowledge and experience of the surgeon specifically in the subspecialty of cosmetic Surgery. All surgeons certified by ABCS already have a primary board certification that is ABMS or AOA certified. Therefore the ABCS certification is an additional accomplishment by these dedicated surgeons who have done additional training in a form of a fellowship specifically in cosmetic surgery and have challenged a rigorous written and oral exam.
The fact is that only a small group of plastic surgeons have taken this additional training and are also certified by the ABCS.
Unfortunately, the motivation behind this ad campaign to smear the ABCS name is solely monetary and a matter of restriction of trade. The majority of plastic surgeons are feeling the pressure of decrease in reimbursement by the insurance companies and are therefore trying to control the elective market of Cosmetic Surgery. This is nothing new as this campaign has been ongoing and ASPS has even targeted different groups such as the facial plastic surgeons and the oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the past.
The truth of the matter is that not all plastic surgeons are trained in all of the cosmetic procedures available as they claim. Furthermore, they have not proven to have safer outcomes than other specialists practicing this Sub- Specialty. The public should be aware of this continuous misleading campaign.
Do not be fooled by false advertising from any group. Make sure that your surgeon has specific training in the Cosmetic procedure you are seeking. Do not rely on labels and self designations. You can visit my website to read more about how to choose the right Cosmetic Surgeon /about/how-to-choose-a-cosmetic-surgeon/ .
So in the end, these are the take home messages:
1. Plastic surgery board certification does not guarantee adequate cosmetic surgery experience.
The truth is this: although the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) does not readily admit it, a physician can become board certified in plastic surgery without adequate education, training, or experience with respect to many common cosmetic surgery procedures.
2. Cosmetic Surgery is its own Specialty.
Cosmetic Surgery—A surgical specialty focused on enhancing the appearance of all areas of the face, neck, breasts, and body for improved aesthetic appeal, symmetry, and proportion. Treated areas have normal functionality and cosmetic surgery is elective.
Example procedures: breast augmentation, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), facelift, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), nonsurgical cosmetic treatments such as laser skin resurfacing or BOTOX® and dermal filler injections.
Plastic Surgery—A surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, infection and disease, intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and restore normal function.
Example procedures: cleft palate correction, skin grafting, skin cancer removal, carpal tunnel relief.
3. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery exists to certify experienced, fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeons and thereby help the public identify reputable surgeons.
The ABCS is the only board that requires its surgeons to display knowledge and experience in cosmetic surgery procedures by:
- Earning prior board certification in one of the seven approved medical specialties ;
- Successfully completing a specialized one to two year cosmetic surgery fellowship;
- Performing at least 300 cosmetic surgery procedures during the fellowship;
- Passing rigorous oral and written testing;
- Operating in accredited surgical facilities ;
- Undergoing reexamination every 10 years;
- Complying with a stringent code of ethics.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. The best way would be to schedule your private consultation by calling 909-987-0899 regarding the procedure you are interested in and I will be happy to go over all of your questions. At your appointment you will also get a chance to tour our state-of-the-art facility, view more before and after pictures of the procedure you are considering and meet our office staff. Our knowledgeable patient care coordinators will then be there to walk you through your journey after your consultation.
Are you tired of dealing with drooping or sagging breasts? If you are ready for a mini makeover that will enhance your appearance and give you more of a feminine figure, talk to Dr. Haiavy about the benefits of a breast lift. Breast lift surgery can transform your upper body to create the ideal feminine contours you’ve always wanted. If you are happy with the size of your breasts, but want them to appear perkier and more youthful, an LA breast lift could be just what you need to enhance your appearance.
Is a Breast Lift Right for Me?
Drooping or sagging breasts can be a side effect of the aging process, weight loss, or pregnancy. Many women who have undergone multiple pregnancies end up with sagging and deflated breasts. In this case, a breast lift performed in conjunction with breast implants can be very effective for restoring your youthful contours. You may be a good candidate for an LA breast lift if you are dealing with any of the following problems:
- Drooping or pendulous breasts
- Misshapen or asymmetrical breasts
- Sagging breasts with downward-pointing nipples
- Irritated or chafed skin underneath the breasts
- Excessive skin laxity around the breasts
- Lack of breast volume
Dr. Haiavy can use one of several breast lift surgery techniques to restore sagging breasts and create more attractive contours. If you want to increase your breast size, we can discuss different options for getting breast implants during your consultation.
LA Breast Lift Surgery Techniques
Dr. Haiavy may perform this procedure using one of the following techniques: donut lift, lollipop lift, J type lift, or inverted T lift. The donut lift involves removing some of the skin around the areola and suturing everything in place after repositioning the tissues. The lollipop lift involves removing skin around the areola and lower part of the breast. The J type lift involves removing skin around the areola and inferior portion of the breast, and can help to create more cleavage. The inverted T lift is also known as the anchor lift and involves removing tissue from both sides of the skin folds underneath the breast.
If you are ready to improve your figure with a breast enhancement procedure, schedule your breast lift consultation with Dr. Haiavy to find out if you are a good candidate for surgery.
If having small breasts has you feeling self-conscious or even embarrassed, talk to Dr. Haiavy about the benefits of breast implants. Breast augmentation in Rancho Cucamonga, CA continues to be the most popular cosmetic surgery among women, and could be just what you need to enhance your silhouette and achieve your ideal body shape. Very few women are born with a balanced figure where their chest size is the same as the width of their hips. Breast implants can create a more proportionate figure by enhancing the size of your chest and creating more feminine contours.
Is Breast Augmentation Rancho Cucamonga Right for Me?
Have you always been self-conscious about the size of your breasts or find yourself limiting your clothing options to draw attention away from your chest? If you are tired of wearing push-up bras or hiding your chest because of small breasts, breast implants may be an attractive option for you. Here are some reasons why breast augmentation surgery may be right for you:
- You want to increase your breast size
- You want an hourglass figure
- You want to restore feminine contours after having kids or losing a lot of weight
- You are tired of wearing push-up bras and body shaping garments to achieve the figure you want
- You want to enhance your feminine shape
- You want more self-confidence
Breast implants can be combined with a breast lift for even better results. This combination procedure is well-suited for women who have excess or sagging skin after having children and want to restore their youthful shape. We can discuss your goals and provide more information about both saline and silicone implants during your consultation.
Getting Breast Implants for the New Year
Now is the perfect time to put together a tentative cosmetic makeover plan and invest in yourself! We can get you ready for surgery as the New Year unfolds so you can look forward to a new you. Dr. Haiavy can customize your procedure and recommend other complementary procedures, such as a breast lift, tummy tuck surgery, or liposuction to help you achieve your ideal figure.
Schedule your breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Haiavy today!
Dear Loyal Patients and Friends,
We would like to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and Holiday Season! We are thankful for having you as part of our family at Inland Cosmetic Surgery. We thank you for your loyalty and referrals throughout the years and wish you health, happiness and prosperity.
Many of my patients asked me how they can look their best for the holidays without much downtime. With the introduction of the latest injectables on the market, such as Voluma and Juvederm, patients can reverse signs of aging and loss of volume in the face. The combination of Botox, Juvederm and Voluma has many of my patients the look and confidence they are seeking this holiday season. Visit our Specials page for all our current specials good till the end of the year.
Some patients that want more dramatic results, opt for surgical procedures such as Endoscopic Browlift and Mid-Facelift. These advanced endoscopic techniques are great for those that want to tackle the “tired look” and look rejuvenated all the time. You are welcome to schedule your private consultation with me or Dr. Ryan so we can answer your questions and determine if you are the right candidate for such procedure.
Marlene, our in house aesthetician, is also available for private consultations to give your skin a renewed appearance. Our new DermaFrac system is great for fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Contact Marlene to see if you are the right candidate for the DermaFrac system.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Dr. Haiavy
High cheekbones and a sculpted jawline are some of the hallmarks of youth. If you have lost a lot volume in the cheeks and your face has taken on a gaunt or hollowed appearance, you may be a good candidate for facial implants. Facial implants can restore youthful contours by adding mass to the cheek area and creating a more defined facial profile. You’ll not only look better in pictures, but will also feel more confident about your appearance. Many patients with very visible signs of aging can take years off their appearance with this type of facial surgery.
If you’ve thought about getting a facelift to rejuvenate your appearance, consider the benefits of an endoscopic facelift. This innovative procedure is less invasive than traditional facelift procedures because it involves making very small incisions in the scalp rather than a longer, extended incision. The effects of gravity and the aging process often cause the facial tissues to sag and drop and some people lose the fat pads that create a youthful contour, which can end up with a hollowed appearance. An endoscopic facelift in Chino Hills, CA will lift and reposition the skin to reshape the face and help you maintain a more youthful look.
As we head into fall and you’re getting ready for the busy holiday season – planning get-togethers and shopping for gifts – don’t forget to invest in yourself! Now is a great time to give your skin a boost with one of our non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments. Facial fillers may be the perfect solution for smoothing out wrinkles and lines, and create a more youthful appearance.
You can lose a significant amount of weight with Bariatric procedures such as lap-band surgery, but losing that much weight may leave you with loose and sagging skin. For many weight loss patients, a body lift and other skin tightening procedures are needed to reshape the body and create more youthful contours. Even if you are taking care of your diet and exercising regularly, you may find it impossible to achieve a flat stomach, sculpted arms, and a slim silhouette. We can perform a set of lifting and skin tightening procedures to completely reshape your upper and lower body after weight loss surgery.
Are you ready for a midsummer makeover? Say goodbye to those love handles and extra inches around your thighs with a liposuction procedure. Dr. Haiavy offers several types of body contouring procedures that can reshape your body and help you achieve a streamlined silhouette. When diet and exercise aren’t enough to slim down your figure, liposuction can help.
Here are some ways that liposuction in California can transform your look: