FAQs

Good credentials can’t guarantee a successful outcome; however, they can significantly increase the likelihood of it. Patients are advised to find a doctor who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify a surgeon in plastic surgery of the face and of the entire body. Certification by the ABPS is “the gold standard” for plastic surgeons because it signifies that the surgeon has had formal training in an accredited plastic surgery residency program. If your surgeon is ABPS-certified, you can be assured that your doctor:

• Has completed at least five years of supervised surgical residency training in an approved program after completing medical school, including at least two years specifically in plastic surgery
• Has passed comprehensive cosmetic and reconstructive surgery exams
• Is qualified to perform cosmetic and reconstructive procedures – everything from liposuction and facelifts to intricate wound repair.

To verify a surgeon’s certification status, contact the American Board of Plastic Surgery at 215-587-9322 or visit the board’s web site at www.abplsurg.org or the American Board of Medical Specialties at www.abms.org or by phoning 1-800-776-2378 Even if the procedures will be performed in an office surgical facility, check to see if the surgeon has surgical privileges for the procedures they are going to perform at a recognized local hospital.

Take your time; although it’s elective surgery, it is still surgery, and typically not something in which you need or should rush into. Do your research with regards to the specific plastic surgery procedure or medical spa treatment you are interested in pursuing. Once you know both what you hope to achieve and how you hope to achieve it, schedule a consultation. At your consultation, you will not only have the opportunity to learn more about a specific procedure or treatment, but to ask questions.

For instance:

• Are you board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• How long have you performed plastic surgery, specifically the procedure you’re interested in?
• Do you primarily perform aesthetic (cosmetic) surgical procedures?
• How often do you perform this procedure?
• Who will actually perform the procedure?
• Do you use board-certified anesthesiologists?
• Do you have a recovery room nurse who is there solely to monitor you in the recovery room?
• Can I see a photo of the recovery room and of the operating room or a photo of the surgical facility?

Is the surgical facility accredited by a national organization like the American Society for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), 1-888-545-5222 or www.aaaasf.org.

Absolutely! Unfortunately, in Florida, as in most states, it is legal for any physician with a medical license to perform cosmetic procedures and even to claim to be a plastic surgeon. Additionally, there are many self-proclaimed sound-alike boards, allowing some doctors to make claims as to super-specialization. Only one board is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Medical Association for the certification of plastic surgeons – the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery:

• Have graduated from medical school
• Have received specialized surgical residency training of a minimum of 5 years after medical school
• Have successfully completed rigorous oral and written examinations in plastic surgery that evaluate candidates in medical knowledge, anatomy, patient safety, surgical techniques, patient selection, and ethics
• Are held to high ethical standards
• Are required to maintain their skills through continuing education

To ensure your plastic surgeon’s memberships, as well as his or her training, you can contact the state medical board, the American Board of Plastic Surgery (215-587-9322), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (888 4-PLASTIC) and if it is an aesthetic (Cosmetic) procedure, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (888 272-7711)

Dr. DeLuca is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Additionally, he is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Although thousands of people have plastic surgery every year without complications, no surgical procedure is risk-free. There are 2 key ingredients that account for patient safety in outpatient procedures:

1. The training and skill of the physician (hopefully a surgeon)
2. The quality of the surgical facility

When your procedure is performed by a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in a surgical facility that has been routinely inspected and accredited by a national agency, like the American Society for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF) and anesthesia is provided by a board certified physician anesthesiologist or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), the published data shows that risks, which can occur in any surgical facility are minimal in the appropriate patient. In fact, it compares favorably with the risk in a freestanding ambulatory surgical facility or major hospital surgical facility.

Unfortunately, in most states anyone with a physician license and in some states even those with a dental license can perform cosmetic (aesthetic) procedures, and few states require inspection, licensing, or accreditation of office based surgical centers. Florida does not have regulations about who can perform plastic surgery, but is one of those states that have passed a law that imposes strict standards to ensure patient safety for those patients having sedation or general anesthesia. The surgery suite at Dr. Deluca’s facility in Boca Raton is routinely inspected and accredited by the American Society for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), 1-888-545-5222 or www.aaaasf.org. to meet the highest national standards. In the interest of patient safety and highest level of care, Dr. DeLuca’s surgical facility underwent elective accreditation even before it was required.