Operating Room Music

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Like most Plastic Surgeons, I listen to music in the operating room.  I like to have music playing when patients enter my OR, as it relaxes them.  I try to play something that they request or I feel they will find comforting, so I have a wide variety of musical styles at hand.

After surgery is underway, I listen to music that compliments my mood, the staff, and anesthesiologist, as music seems to bring out the best in everyone.  The creativity of the music also can bring out my own artistic tendencies, sometimes leading to new and improved techniques.

For facelifts, eyelids, and nose surgery, I like soft alternative rock, like Andrew Bird, Death Cab For Cutie, Guster, and The Bird and the Bee.  It is soft without being tedious, and has a lot of originality.

For breast surgery, I love latin music.  It is passionate and inspiring when I am thinking of curves.  Lila Downs, Maria Rita, Gloria Estefan, Maná, and Jarabe de Palo are a few of my go to CD’s.

For Tummy Tucks and liposuction, I usually go for more up tempo tracks to keep my energy level high.  My tastes are more varied, but among my favorites are Ozomatli, Los Lonely Boys, Neutral Milk Hotel and Weezer.

I recommend music at work as well, and my office always has Spanish pop going.  Music is the key that unlocks my inspiration, and I know my patients agree.

Is your Cosmetic Surgeon a Plastic Surgeon?

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There is no shortage of people trying to recruit patients for cosmetic plastic surgery. The internet, radio, tv, and print media are filled with ads for liposuction, lasers, breast and body surgery promising expert results. To the untrained eye, they all look the same, so how can you choose?

There is only one board that certifies plastic surgeons, and that is The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). I include a copy of their logo below. The other is the logo for The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, for which membership requires board certification. Any Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will use these same terms and logos, and you can check membership at www.plasticsurgery.org to be sure.

The term “Board Certified Surgeon” really means a surgical specialty like General Surgery or Vascular Surgery. “Facial Plastic Surgeon” indicates training in ENT, not plastic surgery. “Oculoplastic Surgeon” means it is an eye doctor. If you see “Board Certified Doctor”, it is a nonsurgical physician, such as dermatologist neal schultz, Ob/Gyn, internist, rehab medicine, or any other. “Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon” indicates a certification by the AACS or American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons, which is not a board recognized by the ABMS. Terms like liposuction expert or laser doctor do not tell you anything about training.

It is not illegal for any doctor with a license to do any procedures he/she wishes, as long as he/she does not lie about their training. You as the educated consumer must make sure you are comfortable with the training of your doctor. Ask them what specialty they did there residency training in, and what board certified them. Do not be embarrasses, as it is important for you to know. For personal reasons, some individuals also prefer to choose the gender of their practitioner – so when searching for a surgeon in your area, make sure to include those parameters – for example: Female Plastic Surgeon In Tulsa, Oklahoma. Once you’ve found someone you are comfortable with, you can then enquire about their training.

So, look for the logos and Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, check the website, and if there is any doubt, ask “Are you a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?” The only answer should be yes.