Plastic, Reconstructive, and ... Health Article

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 310 S. Henry Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. (703) 299-9291. <http://www.facial-plastic-surgery.org/index.asp>.

American Board of Plastic Surgery. Seven Penn Center, Suite 400, 1635 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2204. (215) 587-9322. <http://www.abplsurg.org/>.

American College of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. <http://www.breast-implant.org>.

American College of Surgeons. 633 North Saint Claire Street, Chicago, IL, 60611. (312) 202-5000. <http://www.facs.org/>.

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 11081 Winners Circle, Los Alamitos, California 90720. (800) 364-2147. (562) 799-2356. <http://www.surgery.org/>.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 444 E. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005. (888) 475-2784. <http://www.plasticsurgery.org/>.

OTHER

Johns Hopkins University. [cited March 2, 2003]. <http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/plasticsurgery/>.

National Library of Medicine. [cited March 2, 2003]. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/plasticcosmeticsurgery.html>.

University of Iowa. [cited March 2, 2003]. <http://aboutplastic.surgery.uiowa.edu/surgery/plastic/>.

L. Fleming Fallon, Jr., MD, DrPH

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?

Plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgical procedures are performed by surgeons with specialized training in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Depending on the complexity of the procedures, they may be performed in hospitals as an inpatient, in outpatient facilities, or in private professional offices.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

• Will insurance cover the surgery?
• How long will the recovery be?
• What will be the resulting appearance?
• Is the surgeon board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery?
• How many similar procedures has the surgeon performed?
• What is the surgeon's complication rate?