How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon
Go BackKnowing how to choose a plastic surgeon is one of the most important steps you will take on your journey toward cosmetic surgery. The surgeon you select, the facility where your procedure is performed, and the experience of the entire care team will shape both your safety and your outcome. Whether you are exploring facial procedures, body contouring, or breast surgery near Bingham Farms, MI, Straith Clinic will walk you through the criteria that matter most, so you can make a confident, well-informed decision. To speak with our team directly, call our office.
Credentials and Board Certification
Why Board Certification Matters
When you begin to research how to choose a plastic surgeon, board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery should be your baseline requirement. This credential confirms that a surgeon has completed an accredited residency, passed rigorous written and oral examinations, and met ongoing continuing education standards specific to plastic and reconstructive surgery. Not every physician who performs cosmetic procedures holds this certification, so verifying it independently through the American Board of Medical Specialties is a practical first step.
Fellowship Designations and Hospital Privileges
Beyond board certification, look for additional indicators of professional standing. The designation Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, abbreviated FACS, reflects peer recognition and a commitment to ethical practice and surgical excellence. Hospital privileges at an accredited institution are equally telling: a surgeon who holds active staff privileges must meet the credentialing standards set by that hospital’s peer-review process.
At Straith Clinic, Dr. William Sabbagh, MD, FACS, is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds the FACS designation. Dr. Marissa Baca, MD, is also board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Both surgeons hold staff privileges at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak, MI, providing patients with an additional layer of verified clinical accountability.
How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon Based on Facility Safety and Accreditation
The Importance of Accredited Surgical Facilities
Where your surgery is performed matters as much as who performs it. Outpatient surgical centers vary considerably in their standards of care, staffing, and emergency preparedness. When evaluating a practice, ask whether the on-site facility holds independent accreditation. The AAAHC, the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, conducts rigorous on-site inspections covering infection control, equipment standards, and patient safety protocols. An AAAHC-accredited facility has demonstrated that its care standards meet or exceed established national benchmarks.
Anesthesia Experience Is Often Overlooked
Patients often focus on the surgeon’s credentials while underestimating the role of the anesthesia team. Experienced anesthesia providers who specialize in cosmetic surgery patients contribute meaningfully to a smooth procedure and recovery. Our anesthesia team at Straith Clinic includes nurse anesthetists with more than 20 years of experience and a combined record of over 15,000 IV sedation anesthetics performed, a level of specialized experience that is genuinely uncommon in outpatient cosmetic surgery settings.
Experience, Specialization, and Long-Term Practice Continuity
Volume and Specialization Are Not the Same
A surgeon who performs a high volume of a specific procedure develops a refined technique and a deeper understanding of how to manage variations in anatomy and healing. When you are learning how to choose a plastic surgeon for a specific goal, ask whether that surgeon specializes in the area of the body you want addressed. A practice focused on cosmetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body is better positioned to deliver consistent outcomes than a general practice that adds cosmetic procedures as a secondary offering.
Continuity of Care and Staff Tenure
Staff tenure is a meaningful but frequently overlooked indicator of practice quality. When nurses, surgical techs, and patient coordinators have worked together for years, the care process runs more efficiently and with better communication. At Straith Clinic, staff members average more than 10 years of tenure, which reflects a stable clinical environment that benefits every patient who walks through the door.
Patients exploring body contouring options, such as a mommy makeover, weight loss contouring or procedures like a thigh lift, benefit from a care team that approaches these procedures with both technical depth and coordinated communication. The history of Straith Clinic spans over 90 years of continuous cosmetic surgery experience, a foundation that speaks to the consistency and longevity that informed patients should seek when making this decision.
Why Choose Straith Clinic in the Bingham Farms, MI Area?
Patients throughout the Bingham Farms area and the broader Detroit metro region choose Straith Clinic for its rare combination of verified credentials, institutional longevity, and transparent patient care. Dr. Sabbagh has been a cornerstone of the practice since 1995, bringing extensive experience in cosmetic surgery of the face and body.
Dr. Baca adds specialized expertise in breast and body contouring, giving patients access to two board-certified plastic surgeons under one roof. The practice’s AAAHC-accredited surgical facility, hospital-affiliated surgeons, and a care team with an average tenure of more than a decade create an environment where patient safety and quality outcomes are not marketing language but operational standards. Transparent surgical pricing and free confidential consultations remove common barriers to having an honest, informed conversation before any commitment is made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a board-certified plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon?
Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery requires completion of a plastic surgery residency and passing standardized examinations. The term “cosmetic surgeon” is not a protected credential and may be used by physicians trained in other specialties. When learning how to choose a plastic surgeon, verifying board certification through the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education is a recommended starting point.
How do I evaluate whether a surgical facility is safe?
Ask whether the facility holds independent accreditation from an organization such as the AAAHC. Accredited facilities have passed on-site inspections covering safety protocols, equipment standards, and infection control. You should also ask about anesthesia provider credentials and emergency preparedness. Reviewing our facility details at Straith Clinic can give you a clear picture of what a fully accredited outpatient surgical center looks like in practice.
Is a free consultation a reliable way to evaluate a plastic surgeon?
A free, confidential consultation is a valuable opportunity to assess surgeon communication, the facility environment, and the care team’s professionalism, provided you approach it with prepared questions. Ask about the surgeon’s specific experience with your procedure, complication rates, and what follow-up care is included. A consultation that prioritizes your questions and avoids pressure to commit is a positive indicator of a patient-centered practice.
Does hospital affiliation matter if my surgery is performed in an outpatient center?
Hospital privileges require a surgeon to meet credentialing standards reviewed by a hospital’s peer-review committee, adding an independent layer of verification beyond self-reported experience. It also means that if a complication requires a higher level of care, your surgeon has an established relationship with a hospital facility. Both surgeons at Straith Clinic hold staff privileges at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak, MI.
Are there specific questions I should ask at my plastic surgery consultation?
Consider asking about the surgeon’s board certification, years of experience with your specific procedure, where the surgery will be performed, who will administer anesthesia, and what the follow-up protocol is. You may also want to ask about transparent pricing and what is included in the quoted cost. Patients near Bingham Farms, MI, the greater Metro Detroit area and beyond are welcome to call for details to schedule a free, confidential consultation with our board-certified surgeons.
Take the Next Step Toward an Informed Decision
Patients near Bingham Farms, MI, the greater Metro Detroit area, and beyond who are researching how to choose a plastic surgeon are welcome to schedule a free, confidential consultation with our board-certified team. Contact us for details on speaking with a member of our staff and to request your appointment.
