Why cost shouldn't be the first question you ask...

Have you entertained the idea of getting cosmetic surgery? Or perhaps a laser resurfacing procedure? It is always a good idea to do your research and ask lots of questions but, “how much will this cost”, is not one of them that can easily be answered over the phone. Dr. Yonick believes that giving price quotes without a proper consultation can be a tremendous disservice for both the client and the practice. When you call our office, we will invite you to schedule a free consultation instead of giving a ballpark number—and there are a few reasons why.

 

First, there is only one YOU! Every single person has their own unique body, shape, and size. Giving you an approximate figure won’t be beneficial if we don’t know the details. For instance, if you were to call for pricing on a mommy makeover, the cost is going to vary significantly depending on your personal goals and expectations. One person may need a breast augmentation and a mini tummy tuck without liposuction, whereas another mommy makeover may need a breast lift and full tummy tuck with liposuction. Without a consultation to help focus on what your target areas are and what your body needs, a price quote is literally just numbers.

Second, cosmetic surgery isn’t cheap, and it is even more expensive if it doesn’t meet your expectations the first time. Instead of the price, we suggest your research consists of questions that are going to benefit your surgical outcome and care. A few questions we recommend asking:

•  Is the surgeon board certified in plastic surgery?
•  Will I be meeting with the surgeon during my cosmetic consultation?
•  I am interested in a laser procedure, is your laser equipped with the latest technology?
•  Who does your laser treatments, and what type of training have they had?
•  Do you provide cosmetic surgery insurance?
•  Will I have any additional costs associated after my surgery/procedure?

This list of questions is better suited to get you into an office that holds you and your outcome to a higher standard.

 

At first glance, we may not be the “cheapest price in town” but, when looking for expertise we  are the leaders in education, utilize top equipment, and provide the greatest clinical results. So, while we will not give you a price over the phone, when you come into our office for your free consultation you will receive a clinical evaluation focused around YOU. It will center on YOUR specific goals, and include an exact price quote including surgeon fees, facility, and anesthesia costs. These prices are all inclusive. We will give you all the tools to make an informed decision no matter what you decide.

 

We know this whole process can be daunting but, don’t worry…we will be with you every step of the way.

 

To schedule your free consultation, contact our office at: (989) 264-1850

Does Certification Matter?

Hi, Dr. David Yonick here-  
There are many different “boards” that are available to say a provider is “certified.” The most recent example is the state of California banning the American Board of Cosmetic Surgeon from stating they are “board certified.” This is one of clearest stances taken by a state medical board proving that certification does matter. It is a line that is voiced often by various medical specialties and it is, in fact, true—certification DOES matter.

But what does it really mean to be certified? In the case of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS), let’s take a closer look. There has been a lot of backlash from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) regarding this subject. If you do a little digging into their website, and the board’s offerings, it becomes clearer what is truly going on. They offer opportunities to spend a weekend course learning cosmetic treatments like Botox or fillers, which becomes a common pathway for ER, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, etc to enter into the world of cosmetics.  

As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon (American Board of Plastic Surgery) my requirements were much more than a weekend course worth of training. In plastic surgery, there are currently two pathways to obtain “eligibility” for the board examination process. As a medical student one can match directly into a 6 year plastic surgery training program. Or, as a medical student, one can complete a separate training program in general surgery (5 yrs), ENT (5yrs), or Urology (6yrs) to become eligible to apply to a 3 year plastic surgery training program.

This means I had to complete 5 years of general surgery (encompassing 2000 operations) followed by 3 years of plastic surgery (encompassing 3000 operations) in order to be able to sit for both American Board of Surgery (ABS) and American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) examination processes. Given this information, I strongly defend the statement that “certification matters” and the ability to advertise that one is “board certified” is also significant. As a practicing board certified plastic surgeon, I have achieved the highest level of standard for safe, ethical, and efficacious practice of plastic surgery.

When considering plastic surgery, it is very important to weigh your options and do your homework on the office and the doctor. This is especially the case when contemplating treatments like injectables, Botox, chemical peels, fillers, or laser treatments at boutiques or medical spas. At Yonick Plastic Surgery, we strongly recommend getting the name of the medical director, looking up their credentials, finding out whether they are board certified (and by which board), and asking if he/she performs or supervises any of the treatments. We want to ensure our patents have a safe, positive experience and achieve the results they are looking for— and at Yonick Plastic Surgery, we believe that starts with the right certification.