Credentials–Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
By | September 30, 2008
Credentials–Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Patients come for my expertise regarding less than satisfactory results they received elsewhere. Unfortunately, virtually any licensed doctor can perform plastic/cosmetic surgery legally, regardless of training. Most are shocked to learn that non-plastic surgery physicians (family practice, dermatologists, emergency room, OB/GYN, oral surgeons, Ear/Nose/Throat) will take weekend courses and then begin performing complicated body contouring procedures in their office. These are procedures that such non-plastic surgeons cannot perform in hospitals because the peer review process denies them the privileges to perform these operations without proper training. They are not barred from performing same in their own offices–where there is no outside monitoring.
The first step in obtaining a good result with your plastic surgeon is to choose a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. If so certified, they will also belong to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons whose logo is the easily recognized double opposing crescents. After board certification is obtained, an additional prestigious organization which again insists upon further evaluation of ethics and practice patterns is The American Society for Aesthetic Surgery.
Regularly unsuspecting patients think they are being cared for by a “board certified cosmetic surgeon”. The presentation is misleading at best. Some cosmetic surgeons proudly advertize they are “board certified” but leave it purposely vague. That board certification may be in dentistry, oral surgery, gynecology, etc. Boards such as the “American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery” are not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS). The ABMS is mainstream medicine’s umbrella group that recognizes those boards which follow the traditional path of training in a specialty. The ABMS recognized the American Board of Plastic Surgery as the specialty trained in plastic surgery of the entire body.
To be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a physician must first graduate from medical school and then spends 5-7 years training in Plastic Surgery. Letters of recommendation must be submitted from his training surgeons. He must then pass a written exam and practice in the same community for two years. At this time, he submits all of the cases he has performed for review by the Board. The cases are reviewed for appropriateness, quality of results, complications, and standard of care. Letters of recommendation from other plastic surgeons in his community must be submitted attesting to the ethics and quality of care of the applicant. If accepted, he may then take the oral examination. If he passes, he is then certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeon. Please visit our website for more information.
Robert D. Wilcox, MD
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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)–the surgery and recovery
By | September 29, 2008
The Surgery and Recovery.
Most plastic surgery procedures are performed in an area of the doctor’s office. What separates our practice from others is that we have two independent state licensed operating suites on site that are licensed by the Texas Department of Health and pass the federal Medicare regulations. This is the highest rating a surgical facility can achieve. All of our patients’ care before, during, and after her surgery takes place under the same roof for maximum convenience and privacy.
During the surgery, the patient is completely asleep and remembers nothing and wakes up in the recovery room two hours later with everything finished. The skin is tightened which often gives a secondary lifting effect to the upper thighs and privates. All of the skin and fat of the lower abdomen are removed as well as any stretch marks and/or cellulite. The abdominal muscles are tightened along the entire length to act as a permanent “internal girdle” to flatten the stomach. Special attention is given to the belly button to restore its youthful, aesthetic appearance. The belly button should be oval in shape and gradually slope inwards and not be left too large. Positioning is critical as well.
Returning to Normal.
Patients who have an isolated tummy tuck go home the afternoon of their procedure, whereas those with combined procedures typically spend one night in our center with a registered nurse and medical assistant. Several years ago, we changed our post-operative protocol to include non-narcotic, anti-inflammatory medicines with traditional pain medicines and have dramatically reduced the discomfort of the surgery. We also offers an optional pain pump that delivers local anesthesia internally during the first days. Most patients will return to work two weeks after surgery and no restrictions are required after six weeks. After the swelling has subsided, it’s not unusual for a patient to have dropped one or two clothing sizes.
For more information, please visit our website.
Robert D. Wilcox, MD
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Is breast surgery right for me?
By | September 24, 2008
Beyond the Physical.
Every woman has a personal sense of how she desires to look. Breast contour, shape, and size are defining features of a woman’s body. Some women are satisfied with their natural breasts throughout all stages and phases of life. However, others associate the appearance of their breasts with a negative body image. This is often the case for a woman after pregnancy or breastfeeding. For some women, breast surgery is an option in achieving their desired look. Whether they choose an augmentation, lift, or reduction, breast surgery can offer patients mental and emotional benefits due to a boost in self-confidence. “The physical result can have a tremendous emotional impact for many patients”.
The Decision.
The decision to have breast augmentation is a very personal choice. Everyone brings their personal goals, dreams, concerns and self-image with them. Some women want subtle changes that are as natural as possible, others want the “wow factor”.
A consultation with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon allows you to discuss your goals, evaluate your individual case, and fully educate you about your surgery. “One of the most important decisions is breast size. I spend a significant amount of time exploring various options, discussing expected results, and helping patients prioritize their goals. We now offer innovative 3-D imaging of your body to simulate your breast size after surgery.” This allows you to “see yourself” before surgery.
Types of Breast Surgery.
Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enlarge breasts through the placement of breast implants. Whether performed to achieve a woman’s personal
goal of larger breasts or to restore breast volume lost to weight loss, pregnancy or other reasons, placement of breast implants allows women the choice of fuller, more natural looking breasts.
“The breasts can lose volume after pregnancy, breast feeding, significant weight loss, and aging leaving them flat, stretched, or sagging,” A breast lift effectively raises, firms, and reshapes sagging breasts. The elevation of the areola and nipple is also addressed. If the patient wants to address the size of the breast as well, a breast augmentation can be done at the same time. Some women are left with too much breast tissue after pregnancy. A breast reduction can help achieve a breast size that’s comfortable and in proportion with a patient’s body. All types of breast surgeries are commonly performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck, liposuction, or both to reshape the entire body at once. This “mommy makeover” is for women seeking to regain their body or “even better” once they are finished having children.
Dr Alan Dulin
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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)—The Consultation
By | September 23, 2008
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)—The Consultation
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are those who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by loose abdominal skin and muscles that won’t respond to diet or exercise.The consultation and examination allows a patient to convey her concerns and goals.
Some patients require the full traditional tummy tuck, and others would do best with the mini-tummy tuck. Others will do well with ultrasonic liposuction only or as an adjunct, and some would be best served with endoscopic abdominal muscle tightening without skin tightening.
Every patient is unique and every plan should be custom-made for the finest results possible. We spend quite a bit of time explaining what results can be expected with each option to provide a realistic goal that will meet or exceed our patients’ expectations.
About 2/3 of our patients combine other procedures, such as breast augmentation or lift, liposuction, or facial surgery with their tummy tuck. They recognize the benefits of one operation and recovery as well as cost and time savings. This is what we affectionately call “The Mommy Makeover”.
For more information, please visit my website.
Robert D. Wilcox, MD
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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)–Are you a candidate?
By | September 22, 2008
Tummy Tuck/Abdominoplasty–Are you a candidate?
You’ve been through pregnancy and childbirth and sacrificed for others, and now you’re ready to reclaim your body. You exercise and eat right, yet as the months pass, you have little to show for it. Your post-pregnancy body just won’t cooperate. If this sounds familiar, you may be a candidate for abdominoplasty.
If you are considering an abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, research about the procedure and choosing a qualified, experienced surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery are the two major keys to success.
Abdominoplasty is a two-hour surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen as well as to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen, something many women experience after pregnancy. A majority of tummy tucks are performed in conjunction with other procedures such as liposuction and breast augmentation/lifting as part of a “mommy makeover” once a woman has finished having children.
“Few things in life are more rewarding and filled with joy than having children,” says Dr. Robert Wilcox, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center of Texas. “Pregnancy, however, can take a huge toll on a woman’s body. A once-taut abdomen can protrude after pregnancy due to permanently stretched skin and abdominal muscles.
Breasts that were full and uplifted can lose volume and begin to sag.
The truth is that it may be impossible to accomplish this without the help of cosmetic surgery. Remember that you cannot exercise skin, only muscles. In addition, pregnancy or massive weight loss stretches the abdominal muscles to a degree that only a tummy tuck can restore.”
For more information, please visit our website.
Robert D. Wilcox, MD
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