Plastic Surgery Performed by Non-Specialists on the Rise
It is important to research the background and qualifications of your potential plastic surgeon very carefully before moving forward with your desired procedure. Failure to do so can result in disastrous consequences.
Due to declining insurance reimbursements, many doctors have chosen to expand their practices to incorporate cosmetic procedures which are not covered by insurance and therefore must be paid for out-of-pocket. As a result, it has become common to see gynecologists offering breast augmentation, ophthalmologists performing liposuction, and general practitioners administering BOTOX® Cosmetic injections.
In many cases, these doctors have board certification in a specialty other than plastic surgery. However, only four states – Texas, California, Florida, and Louisiana – require doctors to be specific about which board certifications they possess when advertising their credentials. In all other states, a doctor can simply say they are “board certified” without listing the specialty. This has led many unsuspecting patients to walk into an office of a doctor who did not possess the specialty they were expecting from a physician offering plastic surgery services.
It is common for doctors to attend weekend courses in how to perform procedures such as breast augmentation orliposuction. In many cases, these courses are taught by doctors who are not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Clearly, it is unreasonable to expect a weekend course to provide a doctor with the same depth of training and experience as a multi-year residency in a specialization.
Unfortunately, many patients have paid the price with subpar results that require extensive revision surgery by a board certified plastic surgeon. Ultimately, these patients pay much more in the long run.
In order to reduce the risk of receiving unsatisfactory results on your desired plastic surgery procedure, make sure you research the training and credentials of your plastic surgeon. Only work with someone who has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. If they tell you they are board certified, make sure to ask them what their specialty is.
Albany plastic surgeon Dr. Sanjiv Kayastha has been in practice for nearly 25 years. He is board certified in plastic surgery, and regularly participates in continuing education courses to ensure he remains up-to-date on the most current techniques used in the field. He has been chief of the division of plastic surgery at Ellis Hospital for more than a decade, and currently serves as president of the New York State Society of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Kayastha has dedicated his entire practice to plastic surgery and he possesses the skills, training, and experience to deliver the exceptional results you deserve.
Please contact us today to schedule your initial consultation. Dr. Kayastha serves patients in Albany, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs, New York.
