Gynecomastia - Surgeon Qualifications

Who Is Best Qualified to Perform Gynecomastia Surgery? Do Breast Cancer Surgeons Treat Gynecomastia?

Generally both Plastic Surgeons and General Surgeons are qualified to treat Gynecomastia. Although general surgeons who specialize in breast cancer surgery have experience in the removal of breast tissue for procedures such as Mastectomy, their emphasis and approach at times is different than that of plastic surgeons. The best surgeon to treat Gynecomastia is a plastic surgeon who will be in tune with the aesthetic outcome of your surgery, and who is highly experienced in performing the procedure.

As importantly, you should choose a plastic surgeon who is "Board Certified" by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This assures that the surgeon has not only completed most rigorous cosmetic plastic surgery training, but has kept to the highest standards of plastic surgery practice.

When you interview physicians, be certain that they can share legitimate "Before and After" photographs of their work. Discern your comfort level with this physician, and whether all of your questions are willingly addressed. Also importantly, consider the quality of his or her staff and of the facility where surgeries are performed.
The credentials of the Surgery Center Facility reflect the degree of safety that is utilized during your surgery.

Also, the credentials of the anesthesiologist who will sedate you are extremely important. Some plastic surgeons employ a nurse anesthetist, rather than a physician anesthetist, or even administer the anesthetics themselves. The safest practice is to use a surgeon who employs a "board certified" physician anesthesiologist.

Is a board certified "cosmetic surgeon" the same as a board certified "plastic surgeon"?

Absolutely not! Unlike a fully trained board certified plastic surgeon, many so-called "board certified" cosmetic surgeons have often completed only a brief course in one cosmetic surgery procedure. This does not provide the physician with the depth of knowledge and experience of a plastic surgeon who is certified by the ABPS. That is why The American Board of Medical Specialties does not recognize as legitimate the “board of cosmetic surgery."

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is one of 24 boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, and it is the only one that certifies physicians in the full spectrum of plastic surgery, including all cosmetic surgeries. When you choose an ABPS certified physician (www.abplsurg.org), you are guaranteed the services of a specialist who has endured the most rigorous training. This includes graduation from an accredited medical school, five to seven years of internship and residency, including three to five years of training in general surgery and two years of training in plastic surgery. The physician must also complete demanding written and oral exams.

What Surgical Facility is Best for Male Breast Reduction?

You wouldn't have your wisdom teeth pulled in your dentist's living room. Why not give equal consideration to your physician's surgical facility? Your very life could depend, not only upon the skill of your surgeon, but upon the quality of this facility.

The Importance of Accreditation

Your surgery should be performed at an accredited ambulatory surgery center, or at a hospital. It is unwise to have your surgery performed merely in a physician’s office, or procedure room, especially in the case of a Body Lift, which is a more extensive surgery. If your physician operates in a surgical facility, there are five crucial factors to consider:

1. It is certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (www.AAAASF.org) or;
2. It is certified by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (www.AAAHC.org) or;

3. It is certified by Medicare or;
4. Is it certified by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and;
5. The facility has a transfer agreement with a local hospital. (This is necessary in an emergency situation when a patient needs to be transferred to a hospital).
6. Does the facility have the capacity for overnight stay? There is a trend towards requiring post-surgical overnight monitoring or stays for more extensive Breast Surgery procedures; or in cases when multiple procedures are performed at one setting.

Is your physician credentialed to operate at a local hospital? Does your physician have privileges to perform your chosen surgery in a hospital? If a hospital does not approve a surgeon as qualified to perform your procedure in its facility, this is a significant factor to consider for your safety. Has he or she been barred, disciplined, or suspended from any hospital?

To investigate the status of local physicians, visit www.medbd.ca.gov/lookup.htm

Dr. Younai is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with formal training in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, as well as General Surgery at some of the most prestigious university residencies in the United States. As a cosmetic plastic surgeon he has had ample experience all Aesthetic Aspects of Gynecomastia Treatments including Male Breast Reduction and Liposculpture of the Chest.

At the California Center for Plastic Surgery Dr. Younai will review your treatment options for Gynecomastia, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of Male Breast Reduction and Liposculpture of the chest available in our photo gallery.

Dr. Younai receives patients from the Northern as well as the Southern California region. Some of these cities include Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale, Valencia, Palmdale, Fresno, and Oxnard.

Dr. Younai performs his surgeries at the Regency Surgery Center which is certified by Medicare, AAAHC, and AAAASF. This state-of-the-art facility is located in Encino, and near Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village.

Gynecomastia - Definition
Gynecomastia - Causes
Male Breast Reduction
Surgeon Qualifications
Preparation for Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia - Recovery
Risks & Complications

View Before & After
Gynecomastia Photos