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As a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), this physician is among a select group of board-certified plastic surgeons who have attained the highest level of achievement in cosmetic surgical training, continuing education and clinical experience.

Philosophy & Practice Info

Practice Philosophy

My staff and I strive for excellence by applying our knowledge, expertise, experience, skills, and judgment to the field of plastic surgery. We are committed to rendering compassionate and competent care in the pursuit of the restoration of aesthetics, form, function, and spirit.

I assure you that my staff and I are highly committed, and will expend all of our energies to achieve these goals for you!

Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Practice Specialization

Dr. Beckenstein offers the following procedures at our Birmingham cosmetic (aesthetic) surgery practice:

Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Breast Reduction
Breast Reconstruction
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck )
Liposuction
Post Weight Loss Surgery Procedures
Facelift
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Non Surgical Skin Care Procedures

Surgical Facility

Dr. Beckenstein only performs surgeries in hospital facilities. They are the safest places and have ALL the vital resources readily available to you, should an emergency occur. Think about it: if you are being operated on in an office facility or free-standing surgery center and have an intra-operative emergency, the fire department would have to be called to transfer you to the nearest hospital! That can pose a major problem for you and delay essential treatment.

Putting Your Safety First
The facilities Dr. Beckenstein uses have anesthesiologists (medical doctors) supervising and providing your anesthesia. This again is the safest way for you to have your surgery. Some office based sites employ only nurses and sometimes the surgeon administers the anesthesia! This is not in your best interest. Hospital recovery rooms have specially trained nurses to assist and monitor patients in their recovery phase, which again ensures your safety.

Dr. Beckenstein has his patients stay in the hospital overnight. Again this is for your safety and well-being. Nurses will monitor you to assure there are no complications. They can diagnose a potentially dangerous situation earlier than if you were at home or in a hotel, etc. In the rare event where emergency surgery is necessary, Dr. Beckenstein would be able to take you back to surgery immediately. If you were elsewhere and called your doctor in the middle of the night with a potential problem, you would have to go to the emergency room or office. Then, after being evaluated, you would go the operating room. This would take up valuable time, often a few hours, that can compromise your final result! An overnight stay is restful, especially for mothers with young children who would have demands placed on them if they returned home the evening of surgery.

Hospital facility fees are usually a few hundred dollars more than office based facilities. The extra cost is well worth it for your safety and well-being! When evaluating a plastic surgeon, be sure to ask what facilities he or she uses and about the certification of their respective staff members.

Consultation

We offer a unique comprehensive consultation which is specifically designed to maximize your education on the procedures in which you have expressed interest. This process takes place in our new office, personally designed by Dr. Beckenstein to surround you with various comfortable settings and to ensure you have a relaxed, pleasant experience. The “flow” of the office is designed to be efficient, in order to minimize the time you spend waiting.

Your consultation will consist of a multi-media presentation which is followed by an extensive initial consultation with Dr. Beckenstein. He will thoroughly educate you on the procedure(s) in which you are interested, and discuss your expectations, goals and options. He will answer all your questions as well. When this is completed, you will then be examined and assessed by Dr. Beckenstein, who will continue the discussion on the proposed procedure(s) and options. During the remainder of your visit, you will spend additional time with our clinical and administrative staff. Here, you will receive further education on your procedure(s) and what to expect before, during, and after your surgery. You will often hear firsthand experiences from associates who have had similar procedures. You will then meet with our financial or insurance consultant who will discuss coverages or fees involving your surgery, and the various methods of financing we offer. Our Patient Services Specialist will also introduce herself to you to discuss your special care needs whether they are accommodations for our out of town patients, scheduling issues, coordination with other surgeons for joint cases or your other specific needs.

Your initial consultation will be followed up with additional information provided to you through personalized communication and second, follow-up visits. You will often be directed to online, didactic mini-courses to receive further education on your desired procedure(s). This process will assure that you will receive the necessary education to decide whether to move forward with a particular procedure. We feel if our patients are not well educated about their procedure(s) and what occurs around their surgery, we have not done our job!

Payment Options

Dr. Beckenstein accepts major credit cards and they are used by many patients to finance part or all of their procedures. We work with several financing companies that specialize in aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery, and they have various fee structures and payment options.

We are always seeking other options that are easy for patients to apply for, with good rates, no extra fees, hassles, etc. Our goal is for you, the patient, to find a good, easy way to finance your surgery. Our patient services specialists will assist you with finding a convenient way for you to accomplish this!

CosmetAssure
I give all my aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery patients an insurance policy that covers any untoward events that may occur within thirty days of the procedure. If you require additional surgery or medical treatment in this time frame, you may be liable for additional fees not covered by your health insurance. This policy will cover you for these events.

Skin Care Products

Dr. Michael Beckenstein offers advanced skin care products and procedures to pamper your skin and to prevent signs of aging. Learn more about microdermabrasion and the facial rejuvenation treatments and products offered at our Birmingham , North Alabama practice.