Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is cosmetic surgery?

A. Cosmetic Surgery is and always has been a multi-specialty discipline. Cosmetic Surgeons are usually board-certified in general surgery, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, dermatology and otolaryngology. Dr. Dobson is current in cosmetic surgery developments through post-graduate education. Fellow or full members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery are all board-certified. Only Fellow members are located on the website or information line for the public.

Q. What does board certified mean?

A. It means that the physician/surgeon has completed all requirements in his specialty established by either the American Board of Osteopathic Surgeons now known as the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery or American Board of Medical Specialties. 

Q. What sort of credentials and experience should I be looking for?

A. One of the yardsticks in determining a surgeon's qualifications is to determine that the surgeon is Board Certified. It is important to ask your surgeon about his credentials. Dr. Dobson places his credentials on the website so that patients are well informed of his surgical and medical background. Dr. Dobson is Board Certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery.  Dr. Dobson is a "Fellow" of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. To qualify as a "Fellow" with the AACS a surgeon must be Board Certified by a "recognized" board and have performed a required amount of cosmetic procedures.

Ask your surgeon how many surgical procedures of this kind he has performed and how many surgeries does he or she perform yearly. If your surgeon performs cosmetic surgeries weekly you should feel assured about his skills. Before-and-after photographs can give you some indication of a surgeon's ability, although you must realize that individual results will vary.

Q. Should I be in good physical and mental condition prior to surgery? 

A. Being in good physical and psychological health is extremely important for both you and Dr. Dobson.  Please do not omit any physical and/or mental information.  We need to have a complete history on you prior to performing a procedure. Neglecting to inform your doctor could ultimately affect your outcome. 

Q. Are there any risks with cosmetic surgery?

A. Yes, there are always risks. Dr. Dobson performs a thorough history and physical on our patients prior to their surgery including: 1. Complete blood work 2. EKG on your heart. 3. If you are over 40 or you are a smoker you will be required to get a chest x-ray. 4. All breast work requires a mammogram. 5. A five page history questionnaire is filled out.  Cosmetic surgery is by choice, it is still surgery and taken very seriously.  Patients having an underlying medical condition would need to be cleared by their specialist prior to any cosmetic surgery being performed.

Q. How much are consultations?

A. We provide a free cosmetic surgery appointment for all of our patients. Your consultation will include written information, a private meeting with one of our surgeons and the patient care coordinator, and a chance to review before and after pictures of prior cosmetic surgery patients. References from past patients are available upon request.

Q. Will insurance cover cosmetic surgery?

A. Cosmetic procedures are just that; therefore, insurance does not pay for these procedures.

Q. How much time will I have to take off from work?

A. It depends on the procedure being performed. Some procedures can be performed during your lunch hour like Botox Cosmetic while others may take up to six weeks to recover.  Most patients take from 2 to 7 days off depending on their procedure.                                                                                 

Q. Does cosmetic surgery leave scars?

A. All surgeries leave scars’, cosmetic surgeons try to hide the scars so that they will not be so noticeable.