Find the Plastic Surgeon That's Right for You

Choosing your plastic surgeon is a very important and personal decision.

There are several factors to consider when looking for a plastic surgeon. Here you'll find a list of essential qualities you should look for when choosing a doctor.

Board Certification Is he/she Board Certified? Plastic Surgeon or a "Plastic Surgeon"

Dr. Bermant has seen many complications of doctors calling themselves "plastic surgeons" who had little or no formal training in Plastic Surgery.

Anyone can call themselves a "plastic surgeon." What is the doctor's background? Is the doctor Board Certified in Plastic Surgery or is he/she a General Surgeon, Dentist, Dermatologist, or Ears Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon. Any doctor may be trained in doing some aspects of cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery. Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery takes years of education, broad training, and careful testing of skills. This is a real board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Not all so-called "boards" are so recognized or as difficult to obtain. Several "Cosmetic Boards" take much less training, education, and skill but permit some to claim that "Board Certified" title. Check for yourself the criteria it takes to become Board Certified By the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Be careful of just what your doctor claims to expertise. Dr. Bermant is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Check if your Doctor Board Certified

Is your local doctor even a physician as recognized by your country? Some countries around the world permit poorly trained and untrained doctors to set up an office.

Does your Plastic Surgeon belong to organizations?

What organization(s) does your doctor belong to and what are the requirements to belong. Many are just clubs or groups that have limited requirements to become members. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ASAPS have rigorous standards with training requirements and enforcing ethical practices. Dr. Bermant is a member of both of these societies and others.

Training and Expertise How many of these surgeries has he/she done?

Dr. Bermant has years of experience, having chosen plastic surgery as his field of endeavor early in medical school. In 1975 he began participating in plastic surgical procedures. His general surgery residency had an intense exposure to plastic surgery. He did a Plastic Surgery Residency and additional Microsurgery training.

Continuing Education

Is the doctor current on the latest surgical techniques?
Each year Dr. Bermant attends multiple courses around the country to keep current in the latest plastic surgery techniques and subscribes to numerous journals in the field. Dr. Bermant was among the pioneers using the Internet to bring plastic surgeons together to share their expertise and help each other with problem solving.

Surgical Sculpture by Plastic Surgeons

Can you see the results obtained by previous patients? Unfortunately, not all surgeons achieve the same results. You need to investigate the skills of the specific surgeon. Dr. Bermant has explored many media as an artist, and he views his surgical sculpting as the highest form of his art. This encyclopedic web site is an example of Dr. Bermant's broad artistic skills as a sculptor. When you do look at previous patients, be sure to ask for multiple views in order to see the surgeon's work from different angles. To learn more about this issue check How to Use Before and After Surgery Pictures and Movies to understand the caliber of a surgeon's results.

Plastic Surgeons Credentials

Is he/she credentialed to perform Plastic Surgery in local hospitals?

Until retirement, Dr. Bermant was accredited to perform plastic surgery at many of the hospitals in the Richmond area.

Plastic Surgery Facility Accreditation

Is the operating room certified?
The Bermant Plastic Surgery Surgery Center was accredited by the AAAASF.

Plastic Surgery Patient Education

How much will you learn at the doctor's office?
Dr. Bermant feels that patient education is important. He personally guided their learning experience in his office, focusing on specific needs and options using computer imaging and extensive printed materials he designed.

Become Comfortable Can you be comfortable with this doctor?

There are hundreds of pages on this site about Dr. Bermant's work, philosophy and attention to detail. Browse around. Many patients have told us this site was a comforting introduction to their education, surgery, and care at Bermant Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery.

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