Plastic surgeons are trained to perform body and facial surgical procedures. Board certified plastic surgeons complete a minimum of five years of surgical training following medical school, including a plastic surgery residency program. Plastic surgeons are trained to prevent and handle emergencies, and their extensive comprehensive training develops the necessary technical skills and aesthetic judgement to perform a wide variety of cosmetic procedures.

Because state laws permit any licensed physician to call him or herself a “plastic surgeon” or “cosmetic surgeon” – even if they have not been trained as a plastic surgeon or has had any surgical training at all, patients must do their homework. The problem is, once licensed as a doctor, there is little stopping physicians from performing operations outside of their licensed specialty and – most importantly- training. While most medical specialty boards do certify doctors in areas like plastic surgery, with the rise of office-based surgery, more medical doctors and dentists are bypassing certification that might be required by a hospital. Also, make sure the doctor has the necessary hospital privileges to perform the surgical procedure.

If the surgeon operates in his or her own surgical center, make sure the facility is fully accredited. Also, ask what type of anesthesia is required for your procedure and who performs the anesthesia. They should also be certified in providing anesthesia.

At ACPS Clear Lake, Dr. Hustak is board certified in plastic surgery and recently re-certified fulfilling the requirements by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. ACPS Clear Lake Center is also certified by the AAAASF (American Association of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities). The accrediting program provides patients with the assurance of safety and quality in all aspects of their outpatient surgery. Dr. Hustak hires only certified anesthetists. She has hospital privileges at Clear Lake Regional Hospital and at Bay Area Regional Medical Center.

Not only is ACPS Clear Lake top notch in safety and quality, but we create a soothing, comfortable and private surgery day experience, that is complemented by our all-female surgery center staff.