CHARLES GRUENWALD JR MD FACS4309 Bluebonnet Blvd.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809
A doctor's board-certification is the best indicator of his or her training in a particular medical or surgical specialty. Look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only Board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify doctors in the specialty of plastic surgery, including cosmetic female genital surgery (labiaplasty).
Two other American Boards (The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and The American Board of Urology) have some members who sub-specialize in the area of female cosmetic genital surgery, but this includes only a small percentage of the surgeons belonging to those two boards.
Board certification of any American surgeon can be confirmed through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
ASAPS (The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) membership ensures that a doctor not only is ABPS-certified (Board Certified) but also has significant experience in cosmetic surgery. ASAPS membership is by invitation only. To ensure that the doctor is a member, visit the ASAPS Find-a-Surgeon database.
Labiaplasty and all labia surgery can safely be performed in a hospital, a surgicenter or an office-based surgical facility. Current published data show that accredited office-based facilities have a safety record comparable to that of hospital ambulatory surgery settings. Unfortunately, the majority of office-based surgical facilities are not accredited. Another advantage to selecting an ASAPS member surgeon is that all ASAPS surgeons must operate in accredited, state-licensed or Medicare-certified facilities.
Before granting operating privileges, hospital review committees evaluate a surgeon's training and competency for specific procedures. Wherever the labia surgery will be performed, be sure that the surgeon has operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the same procedure being considered.
Asking a patient's primary care doctor for recommendations is a good place to start, and friends may offer suggestions. The surgeon's board-certification should always be verified independently by contacting the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Free referral information to board-certified plastic surgeons with significant experience in cosmetic surgery can always be found on ASAPS's Find-a-Surgeon site. The official ASAPS web site also offers extensive information about cosmetic surgical procedures.
The labiaplasty consultation is an important opportunity for questions to be asked and answered. It should include a candid discussion of risks as well as benefits of the surgery. A thorough consultation also involves a review of medical history including any existing medical conditions and a thorough examination of the external genitalia. All these factors help the surgeon to custom-tailor the labiaplasty to best meet the needs of each patient.
A useful list of questions to raise with your labiaplasty surgeon can be seen in these Questions to Ask Your Labiaplasty Surgeon.
Even the most experienced surgeon is not the "right" surgeon for every patient. Any successful relationship depends on good communication. Patient satisfaction is enhanced when surgeon and patient candidly discuss goals, agree on realistic expectations, and plan the course of the labiaplasty surgery together.
Experienced aesthetic plastic surgeons generally perform a wide range of cosmetic surgeries on a regular basis. Patients should inquire about the prospective surgeon's plastic surgey experience, as well as labiaplasty surgery, in particular. This becomes especially important if the prospective labiaplasty surgeon is not board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Good surgical care does not end with the surgery. Patients should inquire about labiaplasty follow-up visits and about the doctor's policies should labiaplasty revisions be necessary.
Keep in mind that costs may vary considerably depending on geographic region, surgeon experience and individual patient factors. Not all patients can be treated with the same labiaplasty technique, and the complexity and length of surgery affect cost. Patients should note that labiaplasty surgery usually is not covered by insurance. If charges are drastically "out of line", be concerned.
This list is adapted (with permission) from "Consumer Information", provided by "The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery". It is applicable to any search for a properly qualified plastic surgeon to perform any type of aesthetic plastic surgery.
CHARLES GRUENWALD JR MD FACS
4309 Bluebonnet Blvd.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809
(225)925-3140
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