Articles

Winter 2004

Thinking about Plastic Surgery?

Consider a fellowship-trained surgeon

Did you know that many residency training programs for plastic surgery place a much greater emphasis on reconstructive surgery than cosmetic surgery? While reconstructive surgery is the basis of plastic surgery, the value of your surgeon's specific training in cosmetic procedures is worth consideration.

Most residency training programs are located at large university hospitals which provide much needed care to the indigent population. Unfortunately, this can mean that few if any cosmetic procedures are performed. So how do plastic surgeons learn them? Many programs have rotations where the residents observe cosmetic surgery in a private doctor's office. Some programs have a plastic surgery clinic where residents gain experience.

WHAT IS FELLOWSHIP TRAINING?

Plastic surgeons who wish to perfect their skills and increase their experience can choose to attend additional specialty training called a fellowship.

Dr. Amy Ortega is a double-fellowship trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon. This means that, beyond the required residencies in general surgery and plastic surgery, she has completed significant additional study and surgical experience in order to become a specialist.

"Fellowships are full-time, one-on-one apprenticeships with specialists. It's the way to learn the latest techniques, beyond what is taught in residency, and to perfect your skills," Dr. Ortega said. "By the time someone has taken surgical fellowship training, they are considered to be an expert in that area."

Dr. Ortega completed the Hammond Fellowship in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a fellowship in Cosmetic Surgery and Oculoplastic (eyelid) Surgery with Paces, an Emory-affiliated practice in Atlanta.

Dr. Ortega has been published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, an internationally recognized plastic surgery journal. She also authored an article on SPAIR breast surgery for New You Atlanta and has been featured in Atlanta Magazine and Season Magazine. As a frequently requested guest expert on cosmetic plastic surgery, she has appeared on Fox 5 Good Day Atlanta, Jason Bailey's KICKS morning show and Ryan Cameron's 107.5 morning show.

DR Ortega CAN BE REACHED FOR CONSULTATION AT AESTHETIC SPECIALISTS OF ATLANTA, LOCATED IN LENOX TOWERS, AT 404-751-2500, FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT DR. ORTEGA, GO TO WWW.ASABEAUTIFUL.COM.