WARNING:

This feature contains nudity. Please click OK to confirm you are at least 18 years of age and are not offended by such material.

OK

Research Your Surgeon’s Credentials

The first thing you should look for is your surgeon’s credentials. Their expertise and experience—and vetting by an independent medical board—are critical to ensuring your safety and well-being.

At a minimum, look for certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is the only cosmetic surgery certifying body recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. ABPS board certification signifies that the surgeon has undergone rigorous training, passed stringent oral and written exams, and meets high standards of technical skill and patient care.

Memberships in professional societies such as The Aesthetic Society or the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) are also strong indicators of a surgeon’s commitment to staying abreast of the latest medical news and research. The letters FACS after a surgeon’s name is another marker of clinical excellence as they have passed the requirements to become a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

How To Check If a Plastic Surgeon Is Board-Certified

Now that you understand the importance of board certification, how do you verify a surgeon’s credentials? While reputable plastic surgeons will display their board certification and credentials on their website, it can be helpful to cross-reference this information through the relevant certifying bodies’ websites (such as the ABPS’ online verification tool) to confirm that the surgeon is still actively certified and in good standing with the board.

Read Up About the Surgeon’s Experience and Expertise

Beyond certification, consider the surgeon’s experience performing the specific procedure you’re interested in. Ask how often they perform the procedure and if they have completed any specialized training or fellowships. A surgeon with extensive experience in your desired procedure is more likely to deliver optimal results.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons are immensely skilled and talented in various plastic surgery procedures. However, they are especially well known for specific procedures. Dr. Bauer has performed 50,000+ breast surgeries, Dr. Catignani is an award-winning mommy makeover specialist, and Dr. Fardo has specialty training in oculoplastic surgery, which gives him additional expertise in eyelid surgery and brow lifts.

Gain Insights From Real Patients

Learn more about the practice and surgeon from the people who were once in your shoes. Online reviews can be a great way to gather information about the patient experience, how satisfied they were with their results, and what concerns they may have had.

On a similar note, viewing the surgeon’s real patient before-and-after gallery is a great way of seeing the results a surgeon consistently produces and whether their aesthetic sensibilities align with your goals.

Schedule a Consultation

While many surgeons may look great on paper, it’s all about the in-person connection. Once you have an opportunity to speak with them, do you feel like they truly listen and understand your goals? Are you comfortable with them operating on you, and do you feel like you have the information you need to make the best decisions about your treatment and care?

Once you consider all of the above factors, you should be led to a plastic surgeon who is not only “good” but also the right one for you. If you would like to learn more about the procedures we offer, please request a consultation online or call us at (770) 667-0904 to get started today.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons also perform nonsurgical procedures! Learn more about why their medical expertise matters in our related blog post.

Atlanta, Georgia, September 13, 2023 /PR Newswire/—The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery, located in Alpharetta, was nominated in numerous categories and won several awards in this year’s Atlanta-area Best of 2023 awards: female board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Cristen Catignani won Best Plastic Surgeon-Body in My Alpharetta, and the practice as a whole won Best Plastic Surgery for the Nose in Atlanta and Best Non Surgical Body Sculpting in My Alpharetta and My Johns Creek/Duluth.

“We are honored to be recognized for excellence in both plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments by our community,” said Dr. Joseph Bauer, founder of The Swan Center. “Our team has been serving Atlanta patients for over 25 years; these awards are further testament to our range of skills and dependably excellent results.”

Dr. Catignani added, “As a mom myself, I connect with what my patients are going through after pregnancy or weight changes, and I’m passionate about creating an environment where they feel empowered and can achieve results that help them feel confident again.”

“We are honored to be recognized for excellence in both plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments by our community.”

Dr. Joseph Bauer

Dr. Catignani regularly performs body cosmetic surgeries such as tummy tuck, liposuction, and mommy makeover in addition to breast reshaping procedures. 

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Dean Fardo also practices at The Swan Center, specializing in procedures for the face—including nose plastic surgery, or rhinoplasty, for which the practice was awarded.

“It is an honor for The Swan Center to be chosen for our rhinoplasty results, as I work very closely with each patient to understand their goals and provide their desired results,” said Dr. Fardo. “Offering this transformative, detailed procedure brings me great satisfaction as a plastic surgeon.”

It is an honor for The Swan Center to be chosen for our rhinoplasty results, as I work very closely with each patient to understand their goals and provide their desired results

Dr. Dean Fardo

The practice also houses a medical spa, where a team of highly trained injectors and aestheticians provide non-surgical body sculpting treatments such as injectable butt lifts with Sculptra®.

“Our medical spa team is thrilled to be recognized in the non-surgical body sculpting category,” said Jordan Dupree, RN, BSN, an experienced aesthetic injector. “Our Alpharetta and Atlanta-area patients appreciate the range of highly advanced options we offer to provide amazing results with little to no downtime.”

Individuals who would like to learn more about the offerings at The Swan Center can visit the practice’s website or call 770-667-0904 to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, nurse injector, or licensed aesthetician.

About The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery: The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery in Atlanta is a practice of board certified plastic surgeons that specialize in cosmetic surgery procedures. The group’s commitment to patients and quality of results have made it one of the busiest plastic surgery practices in the Southeast, located at 4165 Old Milton Pkwy, Suite 200 East, Alpharetta, GA 30005. The Swan Center can be reached by phone at 770-667-0904 or online at www.swancenteratlanta.com.

Media Contact: Wendy Jackson, Practice Administrator — wjackson@swancenteratlanta.com, 770-667-0904