Alex Lechtman, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more
than 20 years of experience, providing expert and compassionate plastic
surgery procedures in the Central Valley. His surgical offerings include
breast augmentation, breast reduction and lifts, tummy tucks, face and
brow lifts, as well as ultrasonic liposuction. Dr. Lechtman works with
each patient to help them reach their ideal body-sculpting goals and is
the only plastic surgeon in Tulare County with hospital privileges.
Why do hospital privileges matter?
Plastic surgeons who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
have pledged to operate only in facilities that are fully accredited.
This means that your operating room experience will be conducted to the
same high standards that are in place in a hospital. Having privileges
to admit patients and operate at a reputable hospital means the plastic
surgeon has satisfied the hospital’s credentialing committee, the
Medical Board and Board of Trustees of that Institution, and that they
are competent and qualified to perform the procedures they’ve been
granted credentials to perform.
For many patients, it’s a great comfort to know that a plastic surgeon’s
performance, background and experience are under review by his or her
peers and colleagues. A doctor operating without hospital privileges is
not subject to the same degree of peer review. Also, if a complication
occurs, a non-certified surgeon may not be able to coordinate your care
should you need admission to a hospital for subsequent treatment. This
means that if patients of other plastic surgeons have a problem post-operatively,
their plastic surgeon cannot attend to them and Dr. Lechtman is called
in. Before selecting a plastic surgeon, do your homework and check credentials.
Why does Board certification in plastic surgery matter?
To achieve Board-certification, Dr. Lechtman completed medical school and
then served first as a surgical resident for six years, undergoing rigorous
training in all aspects of surgery. He then trained in plastic surgery
for another two years. The process of earning Board certification can
take 6 to 8 years.
Is a cosmetic surgeon different than a plastic surgeon?
Yes! A practitioner referred to as a cosmetic surgeon might belong to any
medical specialty and is not certified by the American Board of Plastic
Surgery (this is the only Board that certifies plastic surgeons). The
practitioner may perform cosmetic procedures based upon training that
may include weekend courses on topics like how to perform liposuction,
utilize injectables or place breast implants.
Dr. Lechtman is a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Alex Lechtman, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more
than 20 years of experience, providing expert and compassionate plastic
surgery procedures in the Central Valley. His surgical offerings include
breast augmentation, breast reduction and lifts, tummy tucks, face and
brow lifts, as well as ultrasonic liposuction. Dr. Lechtman works with
each patient to help them reach their ideal body-sculpting goals and is
the only plastic surgeon in Tulare County with hospital privileges.
