| "The Longest Journey begins with the first step"
If you are just starting to consider plastic surgery, you are probably wondering where to start.
The single most important decision you will make regarding esthetic enhancement is choosing the right cosmetic surgeon.
Dr. Gelfant has is a leader in providing the information you need to make an informed decision. When the first edition of Dr. Gelfant’s book was published, it was difficult for patients to find good information about cosmetic surgery. A good book seemed necessary. The Internet was something only a few people accessed, and those were mostly male, young and technical.
All that has changed. There are many books available at just about any good bookstore. Advertising by plastic surgeons, as well as others doing cosmetic surgery who are not plastic surgeons, surrounds us, and a brief search of the web will bring up so many sites, you may now have the same problem for a different reason: "where do I start".
Many people first sit down at their computers and search by procedures in the privacy of their home. You can learn a great deal this way, but there is so much information it may be quite confusing.
Believe it or not, there are many people in the Vancouver area, medical doctors and others, acting as cosmetic surgeons, without any significant training or experience.
What follows should help you make the right choice, whether you live in Vancouver or not.
DOES THE COSMETIC SURGEON HAVE BOARD CERTIFICATION?
Because esthetic surgery is not rationed like other aspects of health care, many persons who are not plastic surgeons, such as non-surgeon medical doctors and even non-M.D.’s (dentists!!!), are now doing cosmetic surgery. Thus, the patient is faced with a difficult and confusing choice.
A Canadian Plastic Surgeon undergoes the following training:
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3-4 years pre-medical training at university |
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4 years medical school |
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5-7 years residency training:
First in all aspects of surgery, finally in plastic
and reconstructive surgery |
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Written, then Oral exams by the Royal
College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery (just being certified
doesn’t mean it is as a Plastic Surgeon) |
There is no tidy phrase such as "Board Certified" in Canada, but to make it clear, plastic surgeons have taken to using the American phrase, "Board Certified in Plastic Surgery" to mean certified in Plastic Surgery by the Royal College.
Often he or she will also take a further 6-12 months fellowship in a special area of plastic surgery
In the U.S.A., The American Board of Medical Specialties recognizes certain specialties, of which Plastic Surgery is one. "Cosmetic Surgery" is not. (Therefore, any one can call himself or herself a "Cosmetic Surgeon")
Beware of those who claim to be members of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery or similar such “self designated” boards not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. When you ask if the surgeon is certified, also ask "in what field"?
(Many other specialists and non-specialists are flooding into the field, including dermatologists, eye surgeons (ophthalmologists) gynecologists, general practitioners, and even dentists.)
Don’t be afraid to ask to see the appropriate certificates. These should be displayed for easy viewing.
From their state-of-the-art facility in Vancouver, BC, Dr. Gelfant and his associates are properly trained and fully credentialed cosmetic plastic surgeons with practices devoted to the cosmetic branch of plastic surgery.
DOES THE COSMETIC SURGEON HAVE SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE?
Most Plastic plastic surgeons spend most of their working time in the reconstructive aspects of plastic surgery, mainly in hospitals. They treat such conditions as hand injuries, breast reduction and reconstruction after cancer, facial bone fractures, burns, etc. Cosmetic surgery is, for these surgeons, one facet of a larger general discipline of plastic surgery. Most believe experience in one enhances capability in the other.
Further specialization improves ones expertise.
Dr. Gelfant has over 20 years of experiences as a plastic surgeon. Although at one time Dr. Gelfant had an extensive practice in facial trauma, sun damage and skin cancer, his practice is now almost exclusively devoted to cosmetic surgery, with special emphasis on endoscopic (small incision) breast and forehead procedures, facelift, and body contour surgery.
IS THE COSMETIC SURGEON A MEMBER OF APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES?
Membership in scientific societies is a measure of the cosmetic surgeon’s involvement in thoughtful, progressive advancement of his or her understanding and skills in the profession. Most of the reputable organizations have ethics and membership committees that scrutinize applicants for membership before granting this privilege. Membership also costs money, and requires regular attendance at meetings in order to maintain membership, but the benefits are clear to an experienced surgeon
Beware of those who claim to be members of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery or similar such “self designated” boards not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. When you ask if the surgeon is certified, also ask in what field???
(Many other specialists and non-specialists are flooding into the field, including dermatologists, eye surgeons (ophthalmologists) gynecologists, general practitioners, and even dentists.)
Don’t be afraid to ask to see the appropriate certificates. These should be displayed for easy viewing.
Dr. Gelfant is a member of the following professional societies:
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