Plastic Surgeon in Houston on How to Find the Right Practice

At his Houston plastic surgery practice, Dr. Sam Sukkar says in order to achieve the best results from cosmetic enhancements, patients need to carefully and thoroughly research their plastic surgeon and the type of procedure that is right for them. Whether it be a procedure such as mommy makeovers or breast augmentation in Houston, Dr. Sukkar says by paying attention to specific details such as board certification, both patients and their doctors can attain a positive plastic surgery experience and a satisfactory outcome.

According to the latest statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), demand for plastic surgery has risen 9% since 2009, while a related survey also showed by ASAPS reports that 51% of American now approve of cosmetic enhancement. Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Sam Sukkar says that as cosmetic surgery continues to grow in popularity and demand, patients should take extra care to ensure they are receiving the best treatment from a board-certified plastic surgeon. Due to a surge in revenue and a lack of regulations for plastic surgery, he says cosmetic enhancement patients have fallen victim to a number of imposters practicing surgical procedures without the proper experience and training. Dr. Sukkar encourages patients to take the time to observe the details about their plastic surgeon’s credentials, qualifications, and dedication to quality results before undergoing any procedure.

In addition to board-certification, Dr. Sukkar says he recommends seeking a plastic surgeon who operates in an accredited and certified surgical facility with the privileges to perform the same procedure in a local hospital. He says this additional qualification verifies the presence of a staff of trained personnel, adequate equipment, and precautionary emergency preparation. Dr. Sukkar also says to check up on a plastic surgeon’s access to board-certified anesthesiologists and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist providers to ensure safe sedation from a highly skilled team.

“It is important to feel comfortable with your plastic surgeon, and referrals based on friends and family is a good place to start. A good plastic surgeon should be passionate about what they do and up to date with new technologies available that have been properly proven to enhance results. Beware of plastic surgery practices that approach your care in a assembly line fashion as they usually do not focus on the small details. Technology and result-driven practices invest in equipment to optimize patient education and results. An attractive website with adequate photos for you to evaluate will give you an idea of the artistic eye of the surgeon. The technical aspects of surgery can be taught, but may times you cannot teach artistry or an appreciation of aesthetics.”

Whether patients are seeking a tummy tuck in Houston or another cosmetic procedure, Dr. Sukkar says finding a practice that is dedicated to your safety and satisfaction is of the utmost importance. He says both patient and plastic surgeon alike should be passionate about every detail in order to achieve the highest quality results and a positive surgical experience. “First time plastic surgery patients may feel intimidated when entering a practice for a consultation. Plastic surgeons with a confident, yet approachable demeanor should be able to put their patients at ease.”

About Sam M. Sukkar, MD, FACS

Dr. Sam Sukkar graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana State University, where he was named “Premedical Student of the Year” and went on to complete his medical degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed a general surgery training at the University of Texas Hermann Hospital in Houston at the Texas Medical Center, during a five-year residency program where he was awarded the Thomas D. Cronin Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Division of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Sukkar completed a Fellowship as a Plastic Surgeon at the Division of Plastic Surgery at Northwestern University. As a firm believer in continued medical education, Dr. Sukkar is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Texas Medical Association, the Houston Society of Plastic Surgery, and other professional organizations, in addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Located at 1616 Clear Lake City Blvd, Suite 102 in Houston, TX, Dr. Sukkar’s practice can be reached at (281) 940-1535. He can also be contacted online via the website drsukkar.com or facebook.com/sukkarplasticsurgery.

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The decision to have plastic surgery is a highly personal matter. Choosing the right surgeon to perform your surgery is equally personal and important. In this time of marketing mayhem, many of the details that should inform your decision have been blurred by those who may not have the proper training…or your best interests in mind.

Did you know that it is perfectly legal throughout the United States for medical doctors in any specialty to offer plastic surgery, or open up a Medical Spa or Laser Center? This means the “cosmetic surgeon” you choose for your procedure could be a gynecologist, dermatologist, general practitioner or emergency room physician! In other words…a doctor who has received no specialized training in plastic surgery techniques. Often, the plastic surgery horror stories you see in the news were caused by woefully unskilled and unqualified doctors holding themselves out as plastic surgeons.

Of course…there are cosmetic surgeons and Medical Spas in the Houston area who may do good work. But why take the risk? You deserve peace of mind when making lasting changes to your body.

A Plastic Surgeon who is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery has gone through rigorous training in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgical techniques, and is skilled at managing difficult surgical problems. The many years spent refining their surgical techniques allow plastic surgeons to develop aesthetic judgment and a graceful sense of form. They can visualize end results and have the ability, experience, and knowledge to achieve them.

Almost everyone has heard that they should look for “board certification” when seeking a qualified plastic surgeon (or any other physician for that matter). But most people don’t really understand exactly what this means or what is involved in becoming “board certified.” Even fewer people know about certification of operating facilities, who certifies them and what protection such certification offers. You can go to www.plasticsurgery.org to see if your surgeon is board- certified in plastic surgery.

I believe patients need this information to make informed choices in their search for the right surgeon, surgical facility and anesthesia provider. In my practice, I have gone to great lengths to ensure the highest standard of safety for my patients. My operating room is certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), and I only use board-certified anesthesiologists and CRNA providers. Cutting costs in these important areas means cutting corners, and this could potentially compromise patient safety.

It is common for prospective patients considering plastic surgery to interview several surgeons before making a decision. Such comparison is a valuable process. To enable you to compare “apples” with “apples” and not “lemons,” I provide patients with a detailed checklist at their consultation. It is also on my website, DrSukkar.com. Differences in fee quotations between surgeons may actually represent major differences in your safety – both during surgery and in the recovery room. You want to be confident that, if an emergency occurs, the medical team has the skills and equipment needed. The importance of having a highly qualified medical team and a certified facility cannot be overemphasized When a surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, it means that physician has met the minimum requirements necessary to practice in the field of Plastic Surgery. Ask to see your doctor’s continuing medical education list to make sure they are staying abreast of advances in the field. In addition, surgeons’ that have been awarded membership in The American Society for Aesthetic Surgeons (ASAPS) have been recognized for their specialization in cosmetic plastic surgery.

I have chosen to use only board–certified anesthesiologists and CRNA providers for all of my general anesthesia cases and for monitored anesthesia care. Some of my anesthesiologists are board certified in at least one other specialty, as well. I choose physicians who are in active practice at a hospital because I believe their skills will be at the highest level in the event of an emergency.

At the present time, there are few local, state or federal laws requiring facilities or physicians to be certified. No level of sanitation, patient care, monitoring or peer review is required. Unfortunately, tragic consequences have occurred because of faulty equipment, lack of trained personnel and inadequate emergency equipment. Any physician may perform any procedure in an office-based surgery center as long as basic fire and safety codes are met. Unfortunately, just because a physician has an operating room in his office does not guarantee the facility has proper certification to perform your surgery. There will likely be requirements imposed in the future, but for now certification is purely voluntary. Ask your surgeon if he or she can do your surgery in a hospital. If not, it is likely he or she does not possess the proper credentials and is not a legitimate Plastic Surgeon.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of federal and state regulation, there are a lot of “plastic surgery impostors” out there. A lack of appropriate training, coupled with surgeries being performed in uncertified facilities has led to compromises in patient safety.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE A LOT OF “PLASTIC SURGERY IMPOSTERS” OUT THERE.

If you are considering plastic surgery, it should be performed by a board-certified Plastic Surgeon, operating in a certified surgical facility, who also has the privileges to do the same procedure in a local hospital.

Like any surgery, plastic surgery carries certain risks and must be taken seriously. Probably the single most important decision you can make as a patient is to choose a highly qualified surgeon. Find a plastic surgeon that specializes in the type of surgery you’re considering. View before and after photos of past patients. I believe PICTURES speak a Thousand Words. And of course, ask plenty of questions. Never settle for just anyone when it comes to your health and happiness—select a board certified plastic surgeon with the training and experience that will give you the highest likelihood of success.

Sam M Sukkar, MD
281.990.8487
1616 Clear Lake City BLVD
Suite 102

Plastic Surgeon in Houston Announces Winner of Liquid Facelift Contest

At Sukkar Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa, the winner of the liquid facelift contest has been announced. Dr. Sam Sukkar, a board certified plastic surgeon in Houston, TX, says he and his team are now looking ahead to Margaret C.’s procedure, and are excited for the unveiling of her results following one of the newest nonsurgical facial rejuvenation techniques available.

Dr. Sam Sukkar is a board certified plastic surgeon in Houston, TX. His practice recently held a contest for the liquid facelift, the latest advancement in facial rejuvenation. The winner was announced on the Sukkar Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa Facebook page, and Margaret C. will now undergo the nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedure. He says his entire team is excited to begin the rejuvenation process for Margaret, and looks forward to the unveiling of her results in the near future.

The liquid facelift procedure combines a number of treatment methods, and is designed to offer patients a nonsurgical facelift alternative. While Dr. Sukkar admits that the results achieved with the traditional facelift procedure cannot be duplicated with a nonsurgical procedure, he also says his patients appreciate the ability to avoid or delay an invasive procedure. Dr. Sukkar adds that as technological innovation continues to play an integral role in the advancement of the aesthetic healthcare industry, he is amazed at what can now be achieved with nonsurgical, noninvasive cosmetic enhancement procedures.

As Dr. Sukkar prepares Margaret for her procedure, he says he is very pleased with the results of the liquid facelift contest. While the practice received a number of entries and he wishes there could be more than one winner, he says he is excited about forging a stronger relationship with his patients online, and looks forward to interacting with them through the now strengthened social media community surrounding his practice. “By sponsoring a contest for a nonsurgical procedure, we can offer support to our entire patient base, while reaching out to new patients that may not need, or may not be ready for surgical procedures.”

About Sam Sukkar, MD, FACS

Dr. Sam Sukkar is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He earned his medical degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine, and then completed his general surgery training at the University of Texas Hermann Hospital in Houston at the Texas Medical Center. Dr. Sukkar then completed his plastic surgery residency at Northwestern University. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Sukkar Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa is located at 1616 Clear Lake City Blvd. Suite 102, Houston, TX 77062. The practice can be reached at (281) 990-8487, or found online at drsukkar.com or facebook.com/pages/Sukkar-Aesthetic-Plastic-Surgery/297184848794.

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Houston Plastic Surgeon Opens Facelift Contest Voting

The 10 finalists in the liquid facelift contest at Sukkar Aesthetic Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa have been announced. The voting period opens September 9, 2011 at 10:30 am CST and ends Monday, September 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm CST. Contestants were chosen at random from the pool of entries, and will now be required to submit a video explaining why they deserve to look 10 years younger. The winner will receive a combination of minimally-invasive procedures valued at $7,500, which Dr. Sukkar will customize to address the patient’s specific concerns and aesthetic enhancement expectations.

At his Houston plastic surgery practice, Dr. Sam Sukkar recently announced the 10 finalists in his liquid facelift contest. The voting period opens September 9, 2011 at 10:30 am CST, and will close Monday, September 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm CST. The winner will receive a liquid facelift valued at $7,500, which combines a number of minimally-invasive procedures such as BOTOX injections® and dermal fillers. Dr. Sukkar says the liquid facelift is 100% customizable to each patient’s aesthetic concerns and cosmetic enhancement expectations.

The 10 finalists in the liquid facelift contest will now submit a video explaining why they deserve to look 10 years younger. Once the voting period opens on September 9th, anyone can visit Dr. Sukkar’s website at http://www.drsukkar.com/contest to vote for the contestant of their choosing. After the voting period ends, Dr. Sukkar says he will announce the winner and begin the consultation process to ensure the contestant’s aesthetic enhancement goals are met.

Dr. Sukkar says he and his team are looking forward to seeing the videos, and are excited for the final unveiling of the winning contestant and their eventual transformation. “With the liquid facelift, I can correct some of the signs of facial aging without an incision. While the traditional facelift will provide a more dramatic transformation, the liquid facelift creates a subtle enhancement and rejuvenation that many patients desire.”

About Sam Sukkar, MD

Dr. Sam Sukkar earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University and the School of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Texas Hermann Hospital, and his plastic surgery residency at Northwestern University. Dr. Sukkar is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Sukkar Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa is located at 1616 Clear Lake City Blvd. Suite 102 Houston, TX 77062. The practice can be reached at (281) 990-8487, or found online at drsukkar.com or facebook.com/pages/Sukkar-Aesthetic-Plastic-Surgery/297184848794.

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