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Atlanta board-certified plastic surgeon

Advantages of Working with a Local Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

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When you’re in the process of planning a plastic surgery, you’re faced with many decisions: which procedure will give you the results you want, whether a different variation of that procedure would be best (like the short scar facelift instead of the traditional facelift), when the surgery will fit into your schedule, and more. But perhaps the most important decision is choosing your surgeon. While cosmetic procedures can be performed locally or overseas, and can legally be performed by a number of medical professionals, there are unparalleled advantages to working with a local board-certified plastic surgeon.

Safety

atlanta plastic surgeon franklyn elliott mdAs most patients would agree, safety is of the utmost importance in a cosmetic procedure. Fortunately, the United States has a number of precautions in place. In order for a doctor to be board-certified in plastic surgery, he or she must uphold high standards of education, as well as experience and knowledge, so as a patient, you can be confident in your surgeon’s qualifications. Another added safety aspect of choosing a nearby plastic surgeon is the ability to avoid traveling. Long trips can increase the risk of blood clots and can keep you from getting the right balance of rest and activity during your recovery, so if your cosmetic procedure is performed in or around the city you live in, you can let your body heal without the stress of traveling.

Availability

Your plastic surgeon should be more than just the person in the operating room; he or she should be the first resource you turn to with any questions or concerns. I always encourage patients to have a good understanding of their procedure and recovery before their surgery, but there’s a high likelihood that you’ll still have questions during the healing process about what is or is not normal. If your surgeon is nearby and you’ve developed a trusting relationship, it’s easier to call the office with your questions and to come in for last-minute follow-up if needed.

Expertise

Would you ask your plumber to cut your hair? Or pay an engineer to analyze your blood samples? Legally, many medical professionals can perform cosmetic procedures. However, in order to become a board-certified plastic surgeon, one must be specialized and hold rigorous training in the field of plastic surgery. Any aesthetic procedure (from facial filler injections to liposuction) can have serious complications if they’re administered incorrectly, so choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in your chosen procedure can give you the best possible safety and results.

Ultimately, selecting a plastic surgeon should involve careful thought and adequate information—it shouldn’t be a decision that is made quickly or that is based on a single factor. Consulting with multiple surgeons and reviewing their results can help you to get a better idea of each doctor’s experience and personality. To start discussing how I can help you achieve the appearance you’re looking for, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, to stay up-to-date on the latest news in plastic surgery, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Get to Know Your Plastic Surgeon Outside of the Office

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When you’re choosing a plastic surgeon, you should approach it the same way as you would an interview.  First you would want to check the resume: where they attended medical school, how long they’ve been practicing plastic surgery and their board-certifications.  Then, check the references: what the online review sites say about the doctor, what testimonials are given by previous patients on the surgeon’s website and if their peers have nice accolades to give as well.  Having these tangible things can give you a broad scope of what the potential surgeon is capable of, however it doesn’t quite help you with getting to know them as people.

Get to Know Your Plastic Surgeon Outside of the OfficeWith the increasing presence of modern-day technology, social media has been a catalyst for keeping men and women of all ages instantly connected.  As a board-certified plastic surgeon I have had the pleasure of working with many great patients and have built lasting relationships that only serves to enhance my love for what I do on a daily basis.  I’ve always wanted to stay connected with past and future patients but for a while there weren’t many viable options; until now!

Education has always been a passion of mine and the internet has allowed me to provide additional resources for my patients, in particular through blogging, social media and YouTube:

  • Blogging – one of my biggest passions is teaching. I love educating others on the encouraging medical advancements that are happening today as well as techniques used to improve patient safety.  The Franklyn Elliott, M.D. blog is my way of breaking down topics I think could be useful to anyone interested in plastic surgery.  I try to provide information on topics ranging from in-depth discussions on the techniques I use, different cosmetic plastic surgery procedures I perform and even information on the various speaking engagements I enjoy traveling to and participating in.
  • Social Media – there seem to be an endless amount of social media pages that exist today. While I can’t possibly devote the time I think EVERY one of them deserve, I am actively on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.  I use these pages to share everything from the latest blog post, share some of the time I am fortunate enough to have with my wife and family, or share posts that I find interesting myself.  Because of HIPPA laws, I am not allowed to discuss specific medical cases on social media but I am always excited to answer any questions my followers have about any of the procedures I perform.  I always love hearing from my patients and find social media to be a great way for us to stay connected outside of my office!
  • YouTube – I’m not sure about you, but visually learning, in my opinion, is great. Sometimes we don’t want to spend time reading a manuscript due to time constraints, but luckily there is an alternative I use for sharing important plastic surgery information: the Elliott YouTube channel!  I like to use YouTube to post short videos where I explain some of the most commonly asked questions I get from patients.  My current videos cover a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery topics and I try to post new ones each quarter.  For example, if you have been considering breast augmentation, there are vides on everything from the appropriate age for receiving breast implants to the techniques I use to perform breast augmentation and after-care instructions.

Even if you’re not a big social media user, that’s okay; we love hearing from patients the “old fashioned” way by picking up our telephone!  If there’s ever a question you have or simply want to come in and get to know me personally, don’t hesitate to contact my (Dr. Franklyn Elliott) office.  I am looking forward to connecting with many of you online and hope to see you many of you very soon.

Ask Dr. Elliott: What Procedures Can Be Combined with Breast Augmentation?

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As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, a common question I am often asked concerns the various procedures that can be combined with breast augmentation. This is normally either because my patients want to maximize their time spent during surgery, or do not want to do “too much at once.” However, for some patients, opting to combine procedures is an effective way to achieve your best results and have less downtime than if you were to do the procedures separately.

The ideal procedure to be combined with your breast augmentation often depends on your age and individual needs. From liposuction and tummy tucks to breast lifts, you can learn more details in my video, posted below.

 

 

By doing your research ahead of time, you’re setting yourself up for a successful breast augmentation procedure, no matter which route you decide to take. In the coming months, we will continue to post new videos discussing various aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery. If you would like to schedule a consultation in order to have your questions answered personally, please contact us today. For more on breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures, please visit my website and follow me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.

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