Rubis Plastic Surgery
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Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Not all doctors’ are equally trained. When choosing a plastic surgeon in Tulsa, Oklahoma to perform your body contouring procedures, you of course want a doctor that’s the best in the field. If you are like most people, you may talk to others who may have undergone the procedure you are interested in, you research your physician on the internet, and when you are ready, you schedule a consultation.

Don’t stop there. You really need to know the background of your physician, and unfortunately, you may need to consider the honesty of the claims your physician may make about their training.

The labels “cosmetic surgeon” and “plastic surgeon” are not interchangeable. A cosmetic surgeon is a doctor, any doctor, who performs procedures to enhance a patient’s looks. Plastic surgeons may sometimes refer to themselves as cosmetic surgeons if they perform primarily cosmetic procedures. But, others who perform cosmetic procedures without the rigorous regimen required by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, cannot call themselves plastic surgeons. There currently is no requirement that your procedure be performed by a plastic surgeon or even by someone who has had proper training. In fact, cosmetic procedures are performed in many practices by other types of physicians such as dermatologists, oral surgeons, dentists, general surgeons, gynecologists, family practice doctors, etc. In addition, just because a doctor tells you they are “board certified” it does not necessarily mean they are a plastic surgeon or a physician that has undergone extensive training in an accredited plastic surgery training program. If you are not careful, you could be operated on by someone who has no formal education or training in plastic surgery. Therefore, they do not have required governing oversight by exams or peer reviews to assure you that they are knowledgeable, skillful,and have proper ethics.

Some surgeons will claim board certification from organizations that have not been approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties, (ABMS) whose role is to oversee the specialty boards and assist them in developing and maintaining physician standards. The only board recognized by the ABMS, for the performance of cosmetic surgery, is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. (ABPS) Dr. Rubis is certified by this board, after completing 6 years of plastic surgery training and passing written as well as oral board exams.

Make sure you are not misled, boards that are not approved by the ABMS include:

  • The American Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
  • The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
  • The American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • The American Society of Opthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
  • The American Board of Cosmetic Medicine
  • The American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine

What is the ABPS?

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is one of an elite group of only 24 “member boards” of the ABMS. It is the only board that will assure you that your physician has graduated with a four year college degree, has completed an accredited medical school program to have a MD (medical doctor degree), and has completed a plastic surgery residency training program that is also accredited. Many “cosmetic surgery” fellowships are not accredited and those physicians, do not meet the criteria to even be considered for membership in the ABPS. The ABPS has been the recognized gold standard in training since its initiation in 1941, and Dr. Rubis was originally certified in 2001, and recertified in 2009.

What is the ASPS?

The American Society of Plastic Surgery, founded in 1931, is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world. Dr. Rubis has been a member of this prestigious group since 2002. Plastic surgeons are highly trained in cosmetic procedures as well as reconstructive procedures, burn, hand surgery, wound trauma, tumor removal, cancer reconstruction, correction of birth defects and acquired deformities, microsurgery, maxillofacial and craniofacial surgery.

The ASPS guarantees your physician is:

  • Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
  • Has at least 6 years of surgical training and experience, with at least 3 years in plastic surgery
  • Operates only in accredited medical facilities
  • Adheres to strict code of ethics
  • Fulfills continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety
  • Your partner in your medical care

Questions to ask your surgeon:

  • What training has your plastic surgeon undergone?
    • They should have a minimum of 6 years surgical training with at least 3 years of plastic surgery training.
  • What board is your plastic surgeon certified by?
    • They should be specifically certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
  • Are they a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery?
    • Yes, otherwise they may have either failed their board exams, or have not been allowed to join due to ethical or legal issues.
  • How many procedures have they performed?
  • How long have they been in practice?
  • What hospitals/facilities do they have privileges at specifically for the procedure you are interested in?
    • Typically, only physicians that are board certified by an ABMS recognized board will be granted privileges to perform those procedures in a hospital. Most physicians that are board certified in other fields will not be able to do your procedure in an accredited hospital because the hospital will impose a higher standard of care forcing those physicians to only practice within the scope of their training. In addition, if you have surgery by a physician that does not have hospital privileges, and you have a complication that requires hospitalization, they will not be able to admit or provide care to you in your time of need.
  • Will there be an anesthesiologist providing my anesthesia?
    • Some doctors will perform anesthesia on their patients themselves, and some may use nurse anesthetists without an anesthesiologist on sight. By far, a physician trained in anesthesia is the safest standard of care available.
  • What complications can occur related to my procedure?
    • An ethical physician will not rush you through your consultation. They will want their patients to be as educated, as possible about all potential risks and outcomes. This allows you to make an informed decision about wether this procedure is right for you. They should never tell you you, “Don’t worry about that. I never have complications.” All physicians, even those that are highly trained and skilled, will have patients who experience complications at sometime during their practice. You want a physician that is honest with you in all aspects of your care and one trained appropriately to manage those complications when they rarely occur. They should have privelages in a nearby hospital to care for you as well.
  • Can I see before and after photos?
    • Most doctors will have photos of their most common procedures available to view.
  • How much time can I expect to take off work, and what are my restrictions going to be?
    • Again your consultation should be very thorough. Having all information will assist you in making your final decision about your procedure.

Finally, when you are making your final decision on who to trust with your medical care, you need to have confidence in the experience and skill your doctor provides. Trust your gut. If you are not confidant in the physicians experience, skill, judgement, and bedside manner, you will not be happy with the journey you are about to embark on. Your life and the outcome of your surgery is worth spending time investigating and educating yourself before you make such a big decision.

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5.0

Dr. Rubis and his wife make every appointment feel comfortable and friendly. From the first phone call with the front desk to the last appointment visit post surgery the customer service is 5 stars. Very knowledgeable and answered all my questions before I even had to ask them. I definitely recommend using Dr. Rubis.