What does "Board Certified" mean and why is it important? "Board Certified" means that a physician has passed rigorous testing and meets criteria for ongoing education in his or her field of practice. Dr. Saretsky is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. To achieve this certification, a physician must have graduated from an accredited medical school, and must have completed at least five years of additional training as a resident surgeon. This five years includes a minimum of three years as a resident in an accredited general surgery program and a minimum of two years residency in plastic surgery. Following this, the surgeon must then successfully complete comprehensive written and oral exams. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is one of the 24 specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). It is the only ABMS Board that certifies physicians in the full spectrum of plastic surgery. Since certification is voluntary, not all plastic surgeons are certified. By choosing a plastic surgeon that is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, you can be assured that you are receiving care from someone who has undergone rigorous training and passed comprehensive testing. TOP What should I consider when choosing a plastic surgeon? When you choose a plastic surgeon you want to know that you are receiving the best technical expertise as well as the personal attention and service you deserve. Be sure your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery so that you know that the training he or she has received has met the highest standards for the education, examination, certification and recertification of plastic surgeons. Talk carefully with your surgeon during your consultation and evaluate the responses you receive. You should feel that your surgeon has listened to your goals and has thoughtfully and carefully explained the procedures and what you can expect. You should feel a sense of confidence and trust that you can ask any question and receive an honest, clear answer. You should never be pushed into committing to any procedure and you should be sure that your surgeon respects the decisions you make. TOP What happens during a surgical consultation? Before you have any surgical procedure done by Dr. Saretsky, you will personally meet with him for a consultation. During that unhurried consultation, he will listen to your goals and ask you questions about your expectations and desires. Dr. Saretsky will examine you and discuss the best procedure to achieve the results you are looking for. You can be sure that all your questions will be answered clearly and thoroughly so that you have a complete understanding of his recommendation. Dr. Saretsky will be very frank about what he considers your best alternatives and there is never any pressure to consider unneeded or additional procedures. Our goal from the consultation is that you leave with a full understanding of all the facts to consider in your decision to have surgery. Therefore, it is helpful if you come prepared with questions not only about the procedure you are considering but also any questions about Dr. Saretsky's qualifications and experience, surgical risks, the healing process, costs and payment policies, etc. TOP How do I pay for my procedure? Understanding and evaluating all the costs and benefits associated with plastic surgery, both personal and financial, is the first step in determining if surgery is right for you. You, as the patient, are responsible for all charges. In general, you will be responsible for fees that include:
For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, personal checks and cash. Sometimes insurance will cover part of a procedure if it is to correct a medical problem. Our office staff will clearly explain all charges and payment dates and help you with contacting your insurance company. TOP Where are your surgical procedures done? Our office houses a large consultation area and a state-of-the-art surgical suite, where most of our procedures are done. The operating rooms have met the stringent requirements necessary to be certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc., and are equipped with the most up-to-date instruments and monitoring devices to ensure the best technical results as well as the safety of our patients. In addition, a comfortable recovery room is adjacent to the operating area so that our patients can be observed closely during the immediate postoperative period. TOP What is the difference between reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery? Generally, reconstructive surgery helps patients who have developmental abnormalities, or injuries from trauma, infections, diseases, burns or tumors. Breast reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy is one example of reconstructive surgery. It is generally performed to improve function or to approximate a normal appearance. Cosmetic surgery is generally performed on normal structures of the body to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem. TOP How can I be sure I have a natural look after my facial surgery? The best facial surgery doesn't look like you've had surgery - you just look good. Achieving a natural appearance is in the skill of the surgeon's hands and his or her knowledge of your facial structure. Looking at your surgeon's before and after pictures and carefully talking through your desires and expectations is important to achieving the look you desire. TOP How long will a face lift last? The longevity of a face lift varies from patient to patient. It is affected by lifestyle choices such as alcohol and tobacco use, by environmental factors such as sun exposure, and by heredity. Dr. Saretsky can give you some idea of what you can expect during your consultation. TOP Do I have to be a surgical patient to have skin care procedures at your office? Not at all. We have many patients who come to us for Botox®, Restylane ™, laser treatments, chemical peels, microdermabrasion and other skin procedures who have never had a surgical procedure. TOP Are there certain skin care products you recommend? Absolutely. We currently carry two lines of products that you can only buy in a physician's office. Laurie Wood, RN, would be happy to give you a free, no obligation consultation to acquaint you with the products and recommend which would be most helpful to your skin. Sometimes our patients are using the best products already for themselves and if so, Laurie will be the first to tell you to just keep doing what you are doing! You can reach Laurie by email, laurie@drsaretsky.com, or by calling our office at 214.368.4970. TOP What are glycolic cleansers? A glycolic cleanser uses a small amount of glycolic acid to exfoliate and moisturize the skin. Glycolic acid is the best known of a group of chemicals called fruit acids or alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). Since glycolic acid comes from sugar cane, it is considered a natural product. Glycolic cleansers clean deeply but gently, removing dead skin cells, bacteria, dirt and other impurities to leave your skin soft, clean and supple. TOP What is hydroquinone? Hydroquinone is often referred to as a "skin bleach" but it is actually a melanin blocker that prevents new melanin production. Hydroquinone is used in a treatment to eradicate darkened areas of the skin resulting from hormones, sun damage, injuries, skin-type characteristics, medications and more. TOP What is Retin-A®? Retin-A® is a vitamin A-enriched cream that changes the cellular metabolism of the skin's surface and is used to combat fine facial wrinkles and blotches from sun damage. Retin-A® is effective in older patients who have some fine facial wrinkles, or blotchy pigmented areas caused by sun damage. In younger, active individuals Retin-A® can help combat the aging effects of sun exposure. TOP What is microdermabrasion? Microdermabrasion helps repair facial skin that has been affected by the sun and aging. A device like a fine sandblaster sprays tiny crystals on the face. Gentle abrasion and suction removes the dead, outer layer of skin leaving your face fresh and soft. TOP What is the importance of sunscreen? You don't have to be swimming or lounging in the sun to have sun damage to your skin. And you can get sun damage in the winter, too. Every time the sun touches your skin it is aging your skin by causing fine lines and wrinkles, textural changes and discoloration. Wearing a sunscreen daily is an important part of protecting your skin, and your good health. We recommend putting a sunscreen on your face over your moisturizer and under your makeup, every day of the year. We carry a very fine facial sunscreen that glides on smoothly, is not greasy and will fully protect your face. If you are interested in this sunscreen, call Laurie Wood, R.N. at 214.368.4970 or email her at laurie@drsaretsky.com. TOP |
