Meet Dr. Christopher P. Godek, MD

• American Medical Association
• The Aesthetic Society
• Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgery
• New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons (Past-President)
• New Jersey State Medical Society
• American College of Surgeons
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons

• 
  Board Certification
  American Board of Plastic Surgery
• 
  Research Fellowship
  Harvard Medical School
• 
  Plastic Surgery Residency
  Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania
• 
  General Surgery Residency
  University of Pennsylvania
• 
  Medical Degree
  Boston University School of Medicine
• 
  Undergraduate Degree
  Syracuse University

A plastic surgeon is a medical doctor who has gone beyond a residency in general surgery to train in the enhancement, reconstruction, reparation, modification, and restoration of body areas. Dr. Godek is a plastic surgeon who primarily focuses on aesthetic enhancement and rejuvenation for the breasts, body, and face, while also offering reconstructive options such as breast reconstruction. Through his many years of education, training, and practice, Dr. Godek has developed a level of skill and experience that enables him to recontour the body, rejuvenate the skin, and help patients achieve their cosmetic enhancement goals with results that look both beautiful and natural.

The distinction between plastic surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and those who are not is an important one. In order to become board-certified, plastic surgeons such as Dr. Godek must pass rigorous testing requirements and prove that they have extremely high levels of training, education, and experience in the field of plastic surgery. ABPS-certified plastic surgeons must also recertify every 10 years to maintain their status, which can ensure they have not fallen short of their commitment to provide patients with high standards of care and top-quality procedures.

Selecting the plastic surgeon that is best for your individual needs is one of the most important steps in the treatment process. Any kind of plastic surgery or cosmetic enhancement is a major decision, and you’ll want to be sure that you feel comfortable and confident with the doctor you choose from the very beginning.

The following tips can serve as a general guideline you can use as you narrow down your choices:

Review the Surgeon’s Credentials, Background, and Experience

As you conduct your research, it’s very useful to familiarize yourself with the professional biography of the plastic surgeon you are considering. Practice websites often have pages devoted to an overview of the surgeon’s credentials, experience, and background. You can learn a great deal about a surgeon by reviewing his or her educational and training history, areas of special focus, professional memberships, career accomplishments, and board-certifications.

Take a Look at Before-and-After Treatment Photos

A plastic surgery before-and-after photo gallery can give you a good look at the results of which a prospective surgeon is capable. These photo galleries may even include images of patients who have had the very procedure in which you are interested. If before-and-after photos are not available on the practice’s website, you should feel free to ask to view them once you visit the surgeon’s office.

Read Patient Reviews and Testimonials

From plastic surgeon reviews available directly on the website to third-party sites that feature reviews of doctors and other businesses, there are a variety of ways you can get a glimpse at what other patients are saying about their experiences with a particular practice. Reviews and testimonials can often give you a general idea of the type of service and treatment that can be expected from a prospective plastic surgeon.

Evaluate Your Rapport with the Plastic Surgeon

Once your initial research has produced a few of the plastic surgeons with whom you feel may be right for your needs, it’s important to meet with the doctor in person to make the final determination. During your first consultation, you should never be hesitant to ask any questions you may have about the surgeon’s background, the treatment you are considering, the recovery period, risks and benefits, and generally what you can expect from the entire process. You should also use this time to evaluate your rapport and establish whether you feel the doctor is attentive, compassionate, skilled, honest, thorough, and genuinely caring about your needs and goals. The treatment process involves a partnership between you and the surgeon, and you should feel that your concerns are being addressed throughout the entirety of the process.

The following is a list of just a few questions that you may want to ask when you first meet with your prospective plastic surgeon in consultation. These questions will help paint a fuller picture of the doctor and what you can expect from treatment:

• How many years have you been practicing plastic surgery?
• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Are you extensively trained and experienced in the procedure(s) that I’m considering?
• What are your professional memberships/affiliations?
• Do you pursue continuing plastic surgery/cosmetic enhancement education?
• Is the treatment customized for my needs and goals?
• May I view some before-and-after photos of some of your previous patients?
• Are there alternative treatments that may be right for my needs?
• Can you take me through the process, from before the treatment to the final stages of recovery, so that I can have a general idea of what to expect?
• What are the risks of the procedure?
• What can be accomplished with this treatment, and what cannot be accomplished?
• What can I expect in terms of the results? How long can they last?

This is by no means an exhaustive list of questions to ask the surgeon, but it is a good start, and you should always feel that your questions are being clearly and thoroughly answered. Dr. Godek emphasizes honest communication and comprehensive patient education at all times and encourages patients at every stage of the treatment process to let him know about any concerns they may have.

If you would like more information about Dr. Godek and the treatments available at the Personal Enhancement Center, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.