Welcome to our June email update.

COSMETIC SURGICAL CENTER RECEIVES THREE YEAR ACCREDITATION FROM AAAHC

The Facial Plastic & Cosmetic Surgical Center has again achieved a full three-year accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), according to Gerald Edds, M.D., AAAHC President.

Status as an accredited organization means The Cosmetic Surgical Center has passed a series of rigorous and nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by the AAAHC. Over 1,300 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are accredited by the AAAHC.

“Accreditation underscores our long-standing commitment to providing the highest possible levels of quality care to the community we serve,” said Dr. Tobin. “We are pleased and proud to have our efforts recognized with this accreditation.”

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by AAAHC undergo an extensive on-site, peer-based survey of its facilities and services. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all undergoing the on-site survey are granted accreditation.

Among the types of ambulatory health care organizations that can seek AAAHC accreditation are ambulatory and office based surgery centers; single and multi-specialty group practices; college and university health services; dental group practices; community health centers; occupational health centers; and managed care organizations.

The Facial Plastic & Cosmetic Surgical Center is fully licensed as an ambulatory surgical center by the State of Texas, in addition to its accreditation.

IS THE COSMETIC SURGERY EXPLOSION REALLY HEALTHY?

A recent article in the magazine US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT raises questions about the supposed boom in cosmetic surgery. First of all, it is highly questionable that the “boom” is really as much as it seems. Statistics quoting as much as a 30% increase in cosmetic surgery in the last year largely represent the growing popularity of temporary filler injections or Botox – worthwhile procedures but hardly cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery has seen continued growth over the past decade. There are many reasons for this.  Specialization in cosmetic surgery has allowed patients to find doctors whose entire career is devoted to the field and there is not escaping the fact that while practice may not make perfect – it does make much better. Americans have always been very appearance conscious, although it may surprise many to know that we are not at the top of the list in this area.  Cosmetic surgery is actually more popular in Brazil and Argentina. Still, we do our share. Of course all the media hype is having an effect. You can’t turn on the television or pick up a magazine without seeing or reading about the almost miraculous changes produced by cosmetic surgery.

Unrealistic expectations on the part of patients have always been a challenge to cosmetic surgeons. Now with TV showing changes that far exceed the normal, the problem is even more acute. Add to the fact that the patients on reality TV are not only benefiting from surgery, they undergo dental enhancement, hair styling and makeup which often represents a large part of the change. Additionally, patient is carefully selected choosing those that are most likely to get the most dramatic change.

Finally, as we have commented before, many of those patients undergo surgery that is of far longer duration than safety would dictate.

At our Center, we will continue to strive to not only provide the highest level of technical expertise, but to also try to properly council our patients as to both benefit and risk in an effort to assist them in making a sound decision regarding their surgery. Surgery is serious business and we are dedicated to treating our patients with skill, compassion and honesty.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW COSMETIC SURGICAL FELLOW

It is with great pleasure that we anticipate the arrival of Babak Farzaneh, DDS, MD to serve as the Cosmetic Surgical Fellow from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005.

Dr. Farzaneh will soon move to Abilene from Baltimore, MD to join our staff at the Facial Plastic & Cosmetic Surgical Center. He was chosen over many, many qualified applicants who were seeking training under Dr. Tobin. He comes highly recommended by his professors and directors who describe him as “highly motivated, hard working and focused”. He has received such honors and awards as Dean’s Merit Scholarship for Academic Performance, Aldoph D. Williams Scholarship for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement, Valedictorian of his medical school class and Resident of the Year for the Department of Surgery.

For the past several years, he has dedicated every waking moment to his training in medicine while serving in very large cities such as Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD and is anxiously looking forward to a more quiet life here in Abilene. He intends to see our patients with the same enthusiasm, skill, compassion and dedication he has shown to everyone throughout his training.  Dr. Farzaneh’s ambition is to become a true leader in the field of Cosmetic Surgery and has repeatedly proven himself worthy of this role.

We are sure you will find Dr. Farzaneh a very intelligent and compassionate as well as an interesting man. He has lived all over the world including, but not limited to, Germany, Italy, Iran, Zimbabwe and Turkey, he has not, however, lived in Texas and we are looking forward to welcoming him to our fair city.

Our current Fellow, Dr. Steve Peterson will be leaving but not for far. His plans are still not complete but he expects to be practicing in the greater Dallas metroplex area.  Steve did a fine job and we will miss him.

TOBINS CRUISE ON THE QUEEN MARY 2

Returning from a trip to London, where they visited with colleague and close friend, Dr. Jan Stanek, Gail and I had the wonderful opportunity of experiencing life aboard the newest and grandest transoceanic cruise ship, the Queen Mary 2.

The six-day crossing proved to be everything it was built up to be and more! The ship measures almost four football fields in length and is twenty stories from top to bottom, but size isn’t everything, and the QM 2 is as much quality as quantity.

The accommodations were beautiful and there were almost unlimited activities to keep you occupied during the trip.  We had planned to do some serious reading, but barely got through a few pages of one book.

Gail was quite busy at the art auction, and soon the Clinic will be graced with some beautiful new art work.

The entertainment on board was first rate, as were the lectures provided courtesy of Oxford University.

All in all, it was a memorable trip – one we look forward to repeating.

Gail and I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the many friends and patients who extended their condolences following the death of my Mom, Madeleine Tobin.   The outpouring of sympathy was far more than expected and is highly cherished.

Sincerely,

Howard Tobin, M.D

That’s it for this month. As always, we appreciate your interest and welcome your suggestions.

Sincerely,

Howard A. Tobin, M.D., F. A. C. S.
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