Posted on February 15, 2012 in In the Media
Plastic Surgeon in San Diego Discusses the Importance for Good Online Reputation Management
In a recent article for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), Dr. Steve Laverson, a plastic surgeon in San Diego, says online reputation and identity management have become increasingly important in the dynamic and volatile database of information on the Internet. Dr. Laverson offers pointers to maintain high standards and ethical practice for cosmetic surgeons to consider while growing their online presence. Also discussed are patient use of online physician review sites.
Dr. Steve Laverson was recently published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) discussing the need for consistent and proactive reputation management online among medical professionals. At his San Diego plastic surgery practice, Dr. Laverson provides a range of aesthetic services including breast augmentation and facelift as well as non-surgical enhancements like BOTOX® Cosmetic. The ASAPS article by Dr. Laverson provides tips for surgeons to define their professional identity on the Internet, and to build quality and integrity at their practice. He names several elements to benefit plastic surgeons online, and to benefit patients seeking more information about procedures such as liposuction in San Diego.
The constantly evolving Internet is a potentially outstanding resource to patients for information and for medical advice. Still, Dr. Laverson says preserving a consistent reputation for excellent results, a dedicated staff, and a personable bedside manner require consistent attention. He recommends that an offensive strategy includes peerless character and ethics, diligent customer service that exceeds expectations, avoiding confrontations and adversarial interactions, and engaging with patients on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Dr. Laverson also says posting educational material regularly on blogs or other publications can increase web visibility and credibility.
Dr. Laverson also suggests defensive measures, such as keeping good company online, being professional, and never disclosing private patient information. He says by consistent ethical behavior both online and in person, doctors can help ensure their name represents integrity. For patients, Dr. Laverson says researching a surgeon’s credentials can help avoid problems, and achieve the best results possible. He says online tools such as review sites are an excellent source of valuable information.
Dr. Laverson recommends that physicians participate in online conversation about themselves: “Patients should understand that sources of information online are often anonymous, and not always accurate. Most sites require a user generated name and password, but do not verify posted statements. Positive reviews may be traded for discounted or free services, written by friends, family, and employees, or by office staff who e-mail them to satisfied patients to upload, implicitly in exchange for service. Negative reviews may not reflect the actual quality of care, but may be patients disgruntled about their illness, their bill, an office staff member having a bad day, or a complication they’ve experienced that is no fault of the doctor. Negative physician reviews have also been authored by jealous, bitter, or insecure physician competitors.”
Whether doctors are providing general surgery in New York or breast augmentation in San Diego, Dr. Laverson says high professional standards are essential for development of the medical community and securing the health and safety of future generations. “Purchasing decisions are strongly influenced by statements and other online content, so it should be important for plastic surgeons to maintain a good reputation on the web.”
About Steve Laverson, MD, FACS
Dr. Steve Laverson attended the United States Naval Academy on a Congressional Appointment and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland Medical School at Baltimore, after which he spend ten years in postgraduate training at institutions across the country including Johns Hopkins, the University of Pennsylvania, Emory, the University of California Los Angeles, and the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Laverson was Chief Resident in General Surgery at Martin Luther King Jr. General Hospital in South Central Los Angeles, and trained in plastic surgery in the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group. He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Located at 477 North El Camino Real, Suite D-304 in Encinitas, CA, Dr. Laverson’s practice can be reached at (760) 753-6464. It can also be contacted online via the website feelbeautiful.com or facebook.com/feelbeautiful.
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Posted on February 9, 2012 in Cosmetic Surgery
The Importance of an Accredited Surgery Center
The Wall Street Journal (amongst many other news publications) recently ran an article on why having a procedure(s) in an accredited surgery center is so important. Just as imperative as it is to find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, it is also imperative to ensure your procedures are done in an accredited facility. An accredited facility is one of the best ways to ensure the safest plastic surgery experience possible.
Dr. Steve Laverson operates conveniently at the Center for Surgery of Encinitas, a Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) accredited facility (JCAHO). This is the gold standard and the highest achievable standard any surgery center can attain. Essentially, our surgical facility is critically inspected on our equipment, staff, medical record maintenance, staff training, and the background of all our physicians allowing for safety and incredible results to be our #1 priority.
If you have any questions about the safety measures employed during our procedures, we would be happy to answer them. Please contact us (760) 753-6464.
Click Here to view the article on wsj.com
Posted on February 3, 2012 in Cosmetic Surgery, Plastic Surgeon
If you are considering some sort of cosmetic procedure, be certain to find a qualified Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. We get a lot of requests for particular procedures in our office, however, the most important aspect of getting to your desired result is to find a qualified person to get you there. Make sure to seek out a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Furthermore, if you are interested in having cosmetic plastic surgery, members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) are also ASPS members who have shown a true dedication and special interest in the cosmetic aspect of plastic surgery.
Education is power and cosmetic plastic surgery is an investment in YOU! Shortcuts very rarely have a positive outcome. Protect your body and do your research.
Below is a picture of Dr. Laverson’s ASAPS Board Certification; proof in that he has dedicated himself to providing his patients with the best that cosmetic plastic surgery has to offer.
If you are in the greater San Diego area, and would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Laverson, please give us a call at (760) 753-6464.
Posted on February 2, 2012 in Uncategorized
PLASTIC SURGERY ADVICE 
For the most part MAKE THE DECISION FOR OR AGAINST YOURSELF, WITHOUT ADVICE FROM OTHERS. You do it when the feature you want to change is really bothering you enough to invest in the improvement. It’s a very personal decision, not one you necessarily want advice or help from others in making, for or against. Only YOU know how much you want the change.
DON’T TRY TO GET YOUR MONEY’S WORTH IN QUANTITY (bigger lips or breasts, tighter face), get it in QUALITY. Corollary to this rule: more is not better.
IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS, e.g. Melting away fat and inches off your waist by moving a machine over your skin. Corollary: Decide whether you want to buy hope, or reality (a real difference).
TAKE DRUGS. While you don’t want to be in a stupor, and a small degree of discomfort is good so you don’t run around like nothing was done and pull your sutures apart, the combination of narcotics and benzodiazepines many doctors prescribe provide a unique opportunity for a few days of unsurpassed drug induced euphoria that many addicts and junkies would envy. Enjoy the experience! Get ativan, Xanax, or Valium along with your Vicodin, Percocet, Demerol, or Dilaudid.
DON’T LIE ABOUT YOUR BRUISING OR SWELLING AFTER SURGERY. So many people get injectables and surgery these days, they’re likely to suspect you’re not being truthful. Losing your credibility is much worse than people knowing you had something done, plus, you get sympathy. Just say “I had Botox, or I had my eyes or lips done, it’s getting better.” lying about it doesn’t work, because not only will they know you had it done, but that you’re too insecure, ashamed, or embarrassed to fess up.
DON’T SHOP FOR “SPECIALS,” OR “SALES.” Your face and body are most precious the only ones you’ll ever own. Shop for safety, quality of the result, and trust. These may cost a little more than the lowest price around, but as it turns out, the most expensive procedure is a botched procedure, or one you’re not happy with. These are expensive psychologically, damaging emotionally, and more financially costly, because you often need it re-done. Find someone you trust whose results you like. Then either pay their price, negotiate what you can afford, finance it, or, if you can’t afford it, wait until you can.
Posted on January 26, 2012 in In the Media, Plastic Surgeon, Uncategorized
Call it vanity, selfishness, narcissism, or whatever. But we believe you SHOULD invest in yourself. Life is short, and youth fleeting. Cast away non-productive guilt. Go ahead, do it… And suddenly, everything’s right.
