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DONALD J. CAPUANO, M.D.
Plastic Surgeon

 

WHO DO YOU WANT
TO DO YOUR SURGERY?

If you are having surgery - wouldn't you want a SURGEON to operate? A surgeon is a physician who was trained in surgical training program which is sanctioned by the American Board of Medical Specialists. The society that serves as an indicator of quality.

Please realize that anyone with an M.D. or a DO. degree can call him/herself a surgeon. Dentists call themselves surgeons. Dermatologists call themselves surgeons. They can even represent themselves as plastic surgeons.

So you need to see credentials?

Ask for proof of board certification in plastic surgery. At least some board certification in surgery would be nice.

It isn't that 'on the job' learning of the technical aspects of operations is the most significant part of being a surgeon - it is preparing the individual for surgery and taking care of them during and after the surgery. Also it would be 'nice' to be able to recognize the early signs of problems and complications as one is taught during surgical training.

Individuals might say they are a plastic surgeon who is board certified. Check this out at the American Board of Medical Specialties. The Board is responsible in the USA to provide adequate examinations for those seeking certification.

There are a lot of so called 'bastard boards' out there, and I did not make up this term. These are boards formed just as you would form a corporation. You go to the town hall or county court and buy a name. These are companies with perhaps some, little or no meaning as to the quality of its members. So called 'cosmetic surgery' board certification is not recognized as valid. The name was obtained by an ENT (ear nose and throat) doctor and a general surgeon (gall bladder, hernia, intestines, etc.), among others. It is not sanctioned by the American Board of Medical Specialists.

Remember - Dermatologists - ENT - gynecologists and even family practitioners do 'plastic surgery'. They could call themselves plastic surgeons. There is no law against doing so. Ask to see the certificate that shows board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Are these surgeons experienced to actually operate ? Have they been well trained ?? But without a doubt unless they are certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, they are not plastic surgeons in the traditional sense of the word.

The newest situation in the courts is the attempt by dentists to do cosmetic surgery such as face lifts, nasal surgery, eyelid surgery, skin resurfacing, and so forth.

It is suggested that you check to see if the doctor has hospital privileges to do such operations. California law states that surgeons doing office surgery must have privileges to do such surgery in a hospital. Apparently this is California's attempt to stop under trained surgeons from hurting people in their offices away from the Quality Assurance Programs of the hospitals. Florida has or will soon take a similar position.

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