Who is Best Qualified to Perform Eyelid or Facial Cosmetic Plastic Surgery?

Eyelid and facial plastic surgery are very delicate. They not only require great knowledge of the anatomy and function of the facial structures, but an artistic sense of how these facial aesthetic units go together.

An expert plastic surgeon must have a feel for harmony, as well as a rich experience and knowledge of how different facial structures interact together. You can have a "cosmetic surgeon" shape a beautiful nose or eyelid for you, but if it isn't in harmony with the rest of your face, you will look unnatural and ultimately be unhappy.

There a many different types of specialists who are well trained and qualified to perform surgery of the eyelids or other parts of the face. For example Ophthalmologist, Oculoplastic surgeons, or the so-called "ophthalmic plastic surgeons" might have the knowledge and experience to perform surgery on the eye and the eyelid, but they lack the knowledge base and expertise of the rest of the facial structures. The beauty and the function of the eyes are intertwined with that of the rest of the facial aesthetic units.

Likewise, there are Otolaryngologists, or so-called "facial plastic surgeons" who have much knowledge and experience in the treatment of Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) aliments, but who may lack the depth of knowledge and experience of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is formally trained to perform plastic surgery on all parts of the face.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is one of 24 boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, and it is the only one that certifies physicians in the full spectrum of plastic surgery, including all cosmetic surgeries. When you choose an ABPS certified physician (www.abplsurg.org), you are guaranteed the services of a specialist who has endured the most rigorous training. This includes graduation from an accredited medical school, five to seven years of internship and residency, including three to five years of training in general surgery and two years of training in plastic surgery. The physician must also complete demanding written and oral exams.

In other words, it is best to have your surgery performed by a highly experienced bona fide plastic surgeon – not simply by a physician with another specialty who also practices "plastic surgery."

An experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, unlike an Ophthalmologist, Oculoplastic surgeon, Otolaryngologist, or "Facial Plastic Surgeon" has had the broadest training and expertise in all different aspects of the facial aesthetic and functional units and has the knowledge of how these different units interact together. An experienced plastic surgeon's job is not only to look at your eyelids when you complain of an aging face and eyes, but to consider your entire face and how these different units affect each other. This is the only way that you can achieve a beautiful eyelid surgery result that is harmonious with the rest of your face.

When you interview physicians, be certain that they can share legitimate "Before and After" photographs of their work. Discern your comfort level with this physician, and whether all of your questions are willingly addressed. Also importantly, consider the quality of his or her staff and of the facility where surgeries are performed.

Is a board certified "cosmetic surgeon" the same as a board certified "plastic surgeon"?

Absolutely not! Unlike a fully trained board certified plastic surgeon, many so-called "board certified" cosmetic surgeons have often completed only a brief course in one cosmetic surgery procedure. This does not provide the physician with the depth of knowledge and experience of a plastic surgeon who is certified by the ABPS. That is why The American Board of Medical Specialties does not recognize as legitimate the "board of cosmetic surgery."

Choosing the Surgical Facility That Is SAFE For You

You wouldn't have your wisdom teeth pulled in your dentist’s living room. Why not give equal consideration to your physician's surgical facility? Your very life could depend, not only upon the skill of your surgeon, but upon the quality of this facility.

The Importance of Accreditation

Your surgery should be performed at an accredited ambulatory surgery center, or at a hospital. It is unwise to have your surgery performed merely in a physician's office, or procedure room. If your physician operates in a surgical facility, there are five crucial factors to consider:

1. It is certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (www.AAAASF.org) or;
2. It is certified by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (www.AAAHC.org) or;
3. It is certified by Medicare or;
4. Is it certified by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and;
5. The facility has a transfer agreement with a local hospital. (This is necessary in an emergency situation when a patient needs to be transferred to a hospital).

Is your physician credentialed to operate at a local hospital? Does your physician have privileges to perform your chosen surgery in a hospital? If a hospital does not approve a surgeon as qualified to perform your procedure in its facility, this is a significant factor to consider for your safety. Has he or she been barred, disciplined, or suspended from any hospital?

To investigate the status of local physicians, visit http://www.mbc.ca.gov/lookup.html

Dr. Younai is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with formal training in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, as well as General Surgery at some of the most prestigious university residencies in the United States. As a cosmetic plastic surgeon he has had ample experience in performing Eyelid Surgery, Blepharoplasty, Eyelid Reconstruction, Revision Eyelid Surgery, Eyelid Cancer Reconstruction Surgery, and the Repair of Ectropion and Ptosis deformities.

At the California Center for Plastic Surgery Dr. Younai will review your treatment options for Eyelid Surgery- Blepharoplasty, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of Facial Plastic and Eyelid Surgery available in our photo gallery.

Dr. Younai receives patients from the Northern as well as the Southern California region. Some of these cities include Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale, Valencia, Palmdale, Fresno, and Oxnard.

Dr. Younai performs his surgeries at the Regency Surgery Center which is certified by Medicare, AAAHC, and AAAASF. This state-of-the-art facility is located in Encino, and near Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village.