Choosing a Plastic Surgeon
If you are ready to improve the appearance of your face, breasts, or body with plastic surgery, your choice of surgeon is possibly your most significant decision. Although the terms "plastic surgeon" and "cosmetic surgeon" are often used interchangeably, there is a significant distinction. When looking for an Austin area plastic surgeon, Dr. Mahlon Kerr and Dr. Amy Bekanich believe it's important that patients understand what distinguishes plastic surgeons from cosmetic surgeons. By understanding this distinction, clients can choose wisely, ensuring that they will receive quality care and satisfying outcomes.
Are you ready to find out what sets Dr. Kerr and Dr. Bekanich apart from other plastic surgeons in Austin, TX? Request a complimentary consultation online with Dr. Kerr or call his office in Round Rock at (512) 244-1444. He serves patients from Austin and neighboring Texas communities like Cedar Park, Killeen, Leander, and Pflugerville.
What Is a Cosmetic Surgeon?
Any licensed physician who performs procedures to enhance a patient's appearance can legally call him or herself a cosmetic surgeon. Therefore, if you choose a cosmetic surgeon to perform your face lift, liposuction, breast augmentation in the Austin area, or other cosmetic procedure, you could be trusting your appearance and your health to a physician whose training is primarily in an area like dermatology, gynecology, general surgery, or even dentistry.
What Makes a Plastic Surgeon Different?
Physicians are only qualified to call themselves plastic surgeons when they have completed a minimum 2 years of residency training specifically in plastic surgery. This plastic surgery training encompasses both cosmetic and reconstructive components. After their residency training, plastic surgeons can choose to specialize in cosmetic surgery, but cosmetic surgeons are not necessarily plastic surgeons.
Make sure to ask any Austin area cosmetic surgeon that you visit if he or she is credentialed to perform the operation that you want in an actual hospital and not just a private operating room. Fully trained, board-certifed plastic surgeons like Dr. Kerr and Dr. Bekanich will have plastic surgery privileges at many hospitals, and will be able to perform both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures there. Surgeons without proper plastic surgery qualifications will never be granted privileges to operate in the hospital setting. For the safety and convenience our patients, our plastic surgeons in Austin, TX, perform most of their cosmetic procedures in a hospital operating suite.
Dr. Kerr has exceeded the requirements to become a board-certified plastic surgeon. In addition to his 1-year general surgery internship, he has completed a 5-year combined plastic and reconstructive surgery residency. His intensive training in body contouring, breast enhancement, and facial rejuvenation along with reconstructive procedures like breast reconstruction and skin cancer repair, enables him to consistently provide impressive outcomes for his patients.
