Dr. Thomas A. Pane, Double Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon

Sometimes we at Atlantic Coast Aesthetics get a question that we wish patients would ask more often. One example is this week’s ACA Question of the Week, which asks, “Can a doctor who specializes in a field other than plastic surgery be allowed to perform [cosmetic] surgery?” Dr. Pane was particularly interested in answering this question because too many patients don’t take the time to do due diligence and understand the credentials of the surgeon they are entrusting to help them achieve the aesthetic ideals they are looking for, occasionally with unfortunate results for both the patient and the surgeon.

Dr. Pane said that one of the things patients may be confused about is how the certification process works. Board certification indicates that a physician has spent extra time, practice and study to achieve a specialized knowledge of a specific area of medicine. While someone who graduates medical school and obtains state licensure to practice medicine in a given state is by definition a doctor, that does not make that person a specialist or certified in any particular field of medicine. It simply means that the doctor has a general working knowledge of medicine sufficient to begin the next stage, which is typically residency. Board certification is completely different, because it requires the physician to demonstrate practical and theoretical knowledge of a specific area of medicine. Thus, board certification indicates a specific skill set and focus rather than a generalist knowledge base.

Generally one of the primary limitations on what a doctor can do is the law of the state or states in which the doctor is licensed to practice, and what the hospitals or surgical centers with which the doctor contracts will permit the doctor to do. In a clinical or office setting, especially for relatively minor procedures or things that are done under local or no anesthesia, a doctor has more relative latitude to work outside of their specialization. In the old days, before specialization and certification became the rigid practices they are today, doctors had much more leeway for experimentation and trying new things that may be “out of pocket” for their skill set than they do now. However, even today doctors do enjoy some ability to work outside what might typically be considered normal for their specializations.

Some reasons that physicians might give for choosing to explore other specializations include job satisfaction, income potential, demand for services and overall happiness in the work, said Dr. Pane. Physicians may start in one field of practice and decide later that they would find another specialty more fulfilling, lucrative or simply more interesting. Physicians who do this must go through another certification process in addition to any certification they already carry, largely to ensure that their skills will carry over properly to their new specialization.

Dr. Pane carries double board certification in both general surgical medicine and cosmetic surgery. He chose to move into cosmetic surgery because it offered him a fresh set of challenges and the ability to help his clients meet their aesthetic goals with regards to their bodies. As the
founder and Chief Medical Officer for Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, every day is a new and exciting challenge, and he also has the opportunity to serve his clients in ways that the usages of general medicine do not allow for.

One of Dr. Pane’s greatest joys is being able to help educate patients as to what the best options are for them in every facet of cosmetic surgery, drilling down into the whys and wherefores. Because of his double board certification, he is prepared for the risks that any surgical procedure necessarily carries with it and delivers a level of qualification, skill and knowledge that relatively few other surgeons possess. Additionally, he enjoys the unique challenges presented by undertaking revisions or corrections to procedures performed by other surgeons, and delivering a better result from what at first glance might appear to be a hopeless situation.

If you have a question about anything pertaining to cosmetic surgery or medical credentialing and why it’s important, Dr. Pane and the staff of ACA welcome the chance to be of service. We encourage you to call with your questions at 561-422-4116, send them to us through our Facebook page or email us at https://acplasticsurg.com. Your question may just be the next ACA Question of the Week, to be answered live and in person by Dr. Pane in an upcoming Google Hangout. Remember, knowing what skills and credentials your provider brings to the table is just as important as who your provider is, so choosing wisely and asking questions is always to your benefit!