There are literally thousands of medical professionals offering cosmetic procedures in Los Angeles. So at Sunset Cosmetic Surgery, doctors Steven Svehlak and Daniel Yamini understand you have a choice when it comes to plastic surgery. You’re looking for the right doctor, with the right set of skills, experience and expertise – and it gets confusing since no one is likely to advertise themselves as inexperienced or incompetent. So how do you decide whom you should trust?
Cosmetic vs. Plastic Surgeon
It’s helpful to first determine whether the doctor you are considering is a plastic surgeon or a cosmetic surgeon. The line between the two names is becoming more and more confusing. In reality, there is a huge difference.
According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, in the United States, there are currently no residency programs devoted exclusively to cosmetic surgery. Therefore, doctors seeking to learn cosmetic surgery techniques, primarily do so after completing their residency training in another specialty. In other words, doctors from a variety of medical fields, including: dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, general surgeons, gynecologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, ophthalmologists, as well as others can call or label themselves a “cosmetic surgeon.”
In contrast, “plastic” surgeons are required to complete a minimum of two years of focused training in plastic surgery. Plastic surgery was originally defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body deformities due to birth defects, trauma, burns and disease. Over time, the practice has evolved to include elective cosmetic procedures as well, and patients gain valuable assurance from a plastic surgeon’s license and intensive training.
Board Certification
An additional measure to help find a highly qualified surgeon includes board certification in plastic surgery. While a medical license sets the minimum competency requirements to treat patients, board certification is the “Gold Star” and demonstrates a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular area. It is a seal of approval stating that a surgeon completed specific years of proper training and is substantially experienced to perform plastic surgery procedures. Again, this has become confusing with cosmetic surgeons creating their own brand of board certification (not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, as noted below). Thus, the question you want to ask is “What are you board certified IN?” The surgeons with the most training in aesthetic surgical procedures are board certified in plastic surgery, not cosmetic surgery or another specialty, like dermatology or obstetrics.
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is the officiating body over 24 accredited specialty boards. The ABMS recognizes and certifies a surgeon for the face and body through the “The American Board of Plastic Surgery.” Currently, cosmetic surgery is not a specialty that is recognized for board certification by the ABMS.
Choosing the Right Surgeon for You
When looking for a physician to perform your plastic surgery, choose a board certified plastic surgeon that will help you achieve your desired look and intended results. In Los Angeles, both Dr. Svehlak and Yamini are among a small subset of board certified plastic surgeons who are actually double-board certified. This means they have passed the rigorous standards of both the American Board of Plastic Surgery as well as the American Board of Surgery. These two highly-experienced LA plastic surgeons have been providing excellent quality care and their website, sunsetcosmeticsurgery.com, illustrates their commitment to natural-looking results with hundreds of before and after photos for prospective patients to review. Award-winning surgeons, and recognized for their warm, friendly bedside manner, they take a personalized approach to each case and are committed to your safety and comfort.
We invite you to explore and learn more about these two plastic surgeons practicing on Sunset Boulevard here in Los Angeles. They have become highly sought after for their precise and natural-looking breast implants, tummy tucks, liposuction, rhinoplasty, and Brazilian butt lifts and are the surgeons many southern California patients rely on for beautiful, natural-looking results.
