Frequently Asked Questions

What is plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery is a surgical sub-specialty that deals with the healing and restoration of patients with injury, disfigurement, or scarring resulting from trauma, disease, or congenital defects. It includes aesthetic or cosmetic surgery to correct or rejuvenate facial and bodily features not pleasing to the patient. Derived from Greek, the word plastic means molding or giving form and doesn’t refer to the use of plastic materials. To learn more about the process, or to schedule an appointment with a plastic surgeon, call Artisan Plastic Surgery today!

What should I know before choosing plastic surgery?

Since every patient is different and has different needs, plastic surgery becomes a complex decision. The procedure you initially want may not produce the desired results, which could have been obtained by a different procedure. It’s very important for you to set up a consultation with a plastic surgeon, and stay open-minded and optimistic. Your plastic surgeon will answer all of your questions, tell you exactly what procedure would be the best option to help you obtain your goals, and be very honest with you about whether your goals are obtainable or not.

When choosing your facelift surgeon, ask if the plastic surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. According to Zippia, there are around 9,500 plastic surgeons in the United States that are currently employed. Board-certified surgeons will be the most equipped to perform the procedures you’re looking to have done.

Does it really matter where the surgery is performed?

As recommended by The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it’s important to select a surgeon who has operating privileges at hospitals and outpatient facilities that meet the credentials established by the organization. This provides you, the patient, with increased safety during your entire surgical procedure. When searching for a facelift surgeon, know you’ll be working with a surgeon with these privileges. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to give our team a call today!

Why choose a board-certified plastic surgeon?

Many patients don’t know that, in most states, a licensed physician may perform plastic surgery without being board-certified. Patients commonly ask the surgeon if they’re board-certified when they should be asking if the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. No one wants a surgeon to perform a facelift or breast augmentation when they’re certified in orthopedics and not plastic surgery.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only board of plastic surgeons approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties. This certifies plastic surgeons to perform plastic surgery on all areas of the body. When you set an appointment with Artisan Plastic Surgery, trust that you’ll get a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform the operation. You can be confident you’ll get the best results possible!

How does a plastic surgeon become board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)?

To be ABPS board-certified, a physician must meet these tough requirements:

1. They must graduate from an accredited school.
2. Complete a combination of at least five years of general surgery and plastic surgery residency training.
3. Pass a comprehensive written examination given by ABPS plastic surgeons.
4. Take the oral exam.

After receiving their board certification, they must regularly attend medical education courses and have to adhere to a strict code of ethics. All surgeries they perform must be done in an accredited surgical facility as well. When looking for a facelift surgeon, schedule your procedure with our board-certified surgeon to ensure you’re getting the best results!

What can be expected while recovering from plastic surgery?

Since every procedure is different, recovery time could range from none at all to a couple of months, sometimes longer. It’s important to consider your personal pain tolerance along with the complexity of the surgery performed by the plastic surgeon when trying to determine your recovery time. If you have any questions about the recovery process, feel free to call our office for more information.

Where is Artisan Plastic Surgery located?

Artisan Plastic Surgery has four office locations. The first is in Greensburg, PA, and is located across from Greengate Center off Route 30. The second is located in Pittsburgh off South Water Street. The third is located in Fox Chapel across from Waterworks Shopping Center off Freeport Road. Our fourth office is located in Delmont off of Route 22. Call us today to learn more about our locations, talk with one of our experts, or schedule an appointment with a plastic surgeon.