Dr. Ben J. Tittle M.D. - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon: Questions and Answers

When considering plastic surgery, there is no substitute for an ASPS Member Surgeon.

Are certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery® or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®.
Operate only in accredited medical facilities.
Adhere to a strict code of ethics.
Fulfill continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.

The popularity of plastic surgery is soaring and more and more doctors are trying to meet the demand for this specialty that has become an integral part of mainstream medicine. Any licensed physician can call himself or herself a cosmetic surgeon, so the importance of finding a properly trained and certified provider is paramount. Choosing a doctor who’s a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS) is the first step in ensuring quality care and outcomes. Founded in 1931, ASPS is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world. ASPS Member Surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is the only board dedicated to plastic surgery of the face and entire body.

Breast enhancement, body contouring, liposuction, facial contouring and nose surgery are among the most popular procedures performed by ASPS Member Surgeons. Plastic surgery procedures like breast reduction and reconstruction can improve quality of life by positively impacting self-image and self-esteem. ASPS Member Surgeons also use reconstructive procedures to restore a more natural look and function in cases where the patient has been compromised by disease, accident or disfigurement. Regardless of the reason or motivation for undergoing plastic surgery, ASPS Member Surgeons are your partners in looking and feeling great.

These qualifications ensure that you and your well-being are in good hands. Each ASPS Member Surgeon:

Has at least five years of surgical training and a minimum of two years of plastic surgery training.
Is board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Is trained and experienced in all plastic surgery procedures, including breast, body, face and reconstruction.
Is peer-reviewed for safety and ethical standards prior to attaining the honor of active membership.
Only operates in accredited facilities.

Before you have plastic surgery, you will meet with Dr. Ben J. Tittle, M.D. for a consultation. During the consultation, you will want to discuss your goals. We will then examine you and advise the best procedure to achieve your desired results.

Answer all of your questions thoroughly and clearly.
Ask about your thoughts to recommended treatment.
Offer alternatives, where appropriate, without pressuring you to consider unneeded or additional procedures.
Welcome questions about your procedure and his or her professional qualifications, experience, costs and payment policies.
Make clear the risks of surgery and possible outcomes.
Give you information about the procedure you want.
Leave the final decision to you.

Recovery time varies depending on the procedure. Most often, patients are able to return to work within a week of surgery. Heavy lifting and other strenuous activities should be kept to a minimum for about four to six weeks; however, again, this is procedure specific. For more information on specific recovery times, visit the appropriate procedure page on our website for more details.

Sometimes. Although insurance policies differ on what is considered a covered procedure, there are guidelines most insurance companies follow. It is entirely up to your insurance company and their specific policies as to what is covered and what is not.

All facilities maintain state-of-the-art equipment and a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere for patients. Depending on the procedure, Dr. Ben J. Tittle, M.D. performs most minor procedures at his main office or at Aqua Medical Spa. Other, more involved procedures may or may not require admission to the hospital.

It's estimated that more that one million reconstructive procedures are performed by plastic surgeons every year. Reconstructive surgery helps patients of all ages and types - whether it's a child with a birth defect, a young adult injured in an accident, or an older adult with a problem caused by aging.

The goals of reconstructive surgery differ from those of cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by birth defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma or injury, infection, tumors, or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance.

Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem.

Although no amount of surgery can achieve "perfection," modern treatment options allow plastic surgeons to achieve improvements in form and function thought to be impossible 10 years ago.

There are two basic categories of patients: those who have congenital deformities, otherwise known as birth defects, and those with developmental deformities, acquired as a result of accident, infection, disease, or in some cases, aging.

Some common examples of congenital abnormalities are birthmarks; cleft-lip and palate deformities; hand deformities such as syndactyly (webbed fingers), or extra or absent fingers; and abnormal breast development.

Burn wounds, lacerations, growths, and aging problems are considered acquired deformities. In some cases, patients may find that a procedure commonly thought to be aesthetic in nature may be performed to achieve a reconstructive goal. For example, some older adults with redundant or drooping eyelid skin blocking their field of vision might have eyelid surgery. Or an adult whose face has an asymmetrical look because of paralysis might have a balancing facelift. Although appearance is enhanced, the main goal of the surgery is to restore function.

Large, sagging breasts are one example of a deformity that develops as a result of genetics, hormonal changes, or disease. Breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, is the reconstructive procedure designed to give a woman smaller, more comfortable breasts in proportion with the rest of her body.

In another case, a young child might have reconstructive otoplasty (outer-ear surgery) to correct overly-large or deformed ears. Usually, health insurance policies will consider the cost of reconstructive surgery a covered expense. Check with your carrier to make sure you're covered and to see if there are any limitations on the type of surgery you're planning. Work with your doctor to get pre-authorization from the insurer for the procedure.