Whenever you hear that someone has gone abroad to receive plastic surgery of any kind (tummy tucks, breast implants, facelift), I am sure you have cringed and questioned the intelligence of the overall idea. However, the stories you hear are mainly because those people flocked to another country without doing their research, and went with a surgeon that would do their work quick and cheap. Turns out that surgeon was not board certified in plastic surgery. Cue horror story, tears, and some serious health issues and complications. Well, it’s not quite abroad, but you can now have plastic surgery procedures done in the U.S. Virgin Islands, by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
If you’ve considered going abroad for surgery far away from home, begin by very thoroughly researching surgeons, countries, and procedures. Just as in the United States, they should be specially trained, have expertise in the field, have met specific certifications and recommendations, as well as have a reliable, clean, and licensed practice.
The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) has verified and certified over 1,500 surgeons in 73 countries who currently meet the same United States standards. The ISAPS website provides people with a list of certified plastic surgeons and their country of practice, making it easier to choose your provider.
The cosmetic surgery is booming, as people in the United States are spending billions of dollars a year on cosmetic procedures. Whether they’re going under the knife for a little nip and tuck or visiting the doctor’s office for a quick facial injection, with today’s fast-paced world and constantly evolving technology, results can be achieved at the drop of a hat.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in order to have a successful surgery, it is important to ask the right questions to get the best treatment:
- In which state is the doctor licensed to practice surgery?
- Consider the setting. Prospective patients should be cautious about receiving cosmetic procedures outside a medical setting.
- Is the doctor board certified? With which board? The doctor should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- How many years has the doctor performed this type of surgery?
- Does the doctor have life-saving equipment and monitoring devices?
- Who administers the anesthesia? Ideally, this person is a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist.
- What are the risks of the procedure?
- What is the expected recovery time and process for the procedure you’re having?
If you are planning on undergoing plastic surgery, the most important aspect is your health and safety. Make well informed decisions even before deciding if plastic surgery is the right choice for you. Dr. Stelnicki is a board-certified plastic surgeon, who is now seeing patients in St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Here are some of the services provided at this location:
- Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Repair
- Craniofacial Surgery for Head and Neck Deformities
- Aesthetic Surgery
- Mommy Makeovers
- Hair Transplant Surgery
- Pediatric Plastic Surgery
If you would like more information about our new location in the Virgin Islands and the services we provide, call the office of Dr. Stelnicki at (954) 983-1899, or request an appointment online.
