Choosing to have
plastic surgery is an important decision, and so is selecting a plastic
surgeon. Whether you're considering cosmetic surgery to improve your appearance
or reconstructive surgery to correct defects or improve function, you want a
board-certified cosmetic surgeon with the skill and training to help achieve
your goals. The American Society of
Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), established in 1931, is the largest plastic surgery
specialty organization in the world. Dr. Richard O'Donnell is certified by
the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
A third generation Colorado physician with
dual degrees in both medicine and dentistry, Dr. O'Donnell has the ability to
interface innate artistic talent with medical/dental expertise to provide his
patients with a unique blend of talented skills.
After completing his dental education at
Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. O'Donnell graduated from the
University of Colorado Medical School in Denver. Following residencies in
Plastic, Maxillofacial and Reconstructive Surgery as well as General Surgery, he
received post doctoral fellowship training at the University of Nurenburg
Erlangen in West Germany. Dr. ODonnell is certified by the American Board of
Plastic Surgery.
With more than fifteen years of private
practice experience in Denver, Dr. O'Donnell offers a comprehensive range
of facial and figure, cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures.
Plastic Surgery is a body of knowledge
encompassing amongst other things Cosmetic Surgery. In order to become a Plastic
Surgeon, one completes a Plastic Surgery Residency. In order to qualify to enter
a Plastic Surgery Residency, one must complete at least three years of a General
Surgery Residency. Currently, most Plastic Surgery Residents have completed a
full General Surgery Residency (Five to Seven Years, depending upon the
institution) or a full Orthopedic, Urologic, Otolaryngologic, or Neurosurgical
Residency. Dr. O'Donnell has a degree in dentistry and specializes in
maxillofacial and craniofacial surgery.
TRAINING
Plastic Surgeons are trained for an additional
two to three years after this primary Residency. This translates into total
education of at least:
4 Years College
4 Years Medical School
3 Years Surgical Residency (more often 5-7 as noted above)
2 Years Plastic Surgery Residency
AREN'T ALL COSMETIC SURGEONS PLASTIC SURGEONS?
The Plastic Surgeon has most definitely been
trained as to how to do the operation. Some of the other specialists (except the
Dermatologists) have had formal surgical training, so they might know how to do
it some cosmetic procedures. Some have done extra training to gain expertise in
certain cosmetic procedures and others have done them for a long period of time.
Dermatologists train as to the care of the skin and therefore get some
experience removing skin cancers. The problem is that you the consumer have no
real way of knowing the surgical quality of the physician that you might see.
The bottom line is that Plastic Surgeons
(those that have completed a Plastic Surgery Residency) have been
trained how to do Cosmetic surgery. Those in other specialties may
perform the procedure, but the extent to which they have been trained
may be questionable. With trained and qualified Cosmetic Surgeons
and Plastic Surgeons such as Dr. O'Donnell you have many years of
experience and education to be confident in.
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