Meet Michael S. Beckenstein, MD – Birmingham, Alabama Plastic Surgeon

EDUCATION

• MEDICAL
  EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL
  Norfolk, Virginia
  6/83 - 5/87
  Doctor of Medicine
• COLLEGE
  UNION COLLEGE
  Schenectady, NY
  9/78 - 6/82
  Bachelor of Science (Biology)
• HIGH SCHOOL
  LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL
  Lawrence, NY
  8/75 - 6/78

POST GRADUATE TRAINING

FELLOWSHIP
AESTHETIC SURGERY/BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
Birmingham, Alabama
James C. Grotting, M.D,
9/97- 9/98

FELLOWSHIP
BREAST RECONSTRUCTION/AESTHETIC SURGERY
Georgetown University Medical Center
Dept. of Plastic Surgery
Scott Spear, M.D. - Chairman
7/95 - 12/95

FELLOWSHIP
BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
Atlanta Plastic Surgery, PA
Atlanta, Georgia
Carl Hartrampf, Jr., M.D.
1/95 - 6/95

FELLOWSHIP
PLASTIC SURGERY RESEARCH
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio
Dept. of Plastic Surgery
Brian Windle, M.D. - Chairman
7/94 - 12/94

RESIDENCY
PLASTIC SURGERY
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio
Dept. of Plastic Surgery
Brian Windle, M.D. Chairman
7/92 - 6/94

RESIDENCY
GENERAL SURGERY
St. Barnabas Medical Center
Livingston, NJ
Dept. of Surgery
F.C. Nance, M.D. - Program Director
7/88 - 6/92

INTERNSHIP
GENERAL SURGERY
St. Barnabas Medical Center
Livingston, New Jersey
Dept. of Surgery
F.C. Nance, M.D. - Program Director
7/87 - 6/88

LICENSE/BOARDS

• Diplomate of American Board of Plastic Surgery (2001)
• Diplomate of American Board of Surgery (1993)
• Alabama State Medical Board (1997)
• Indiana State Medical Board (1996)
• Georgia State Medical Board (1994)
• District of Columbia Medical Board (1994)
• Ohio State Medical Board (1992)
• New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners (1988)
• National Board of Medical Examiners (1987)

CERTIFICATIONS

• Microsurgery (Tulane University 1994)
• AO Rigid Fixation (University of Pittsburgh 1993)
• Laser Surgery (SBMC 1992)
• CO2 Laser Certification (Bethesda,MD; Georgetown University(1996)
• Ultrasound Assisted Lipectomy (Birmingham, AL 1999)
• Gentlelase Certification (Candela 1998)
• Scleropulse Certification (Candela 1998)
• Alexandrite Certification (Candela 1998)

AWARDS AND HONORS

• Excellent Clinical Presentation: Resident's Competition - OVPRS 5/94
• Achievement Award for Academic Excellence in Surgery(Opsite) - SBMC 6/92
• Herbert Schulte Award for Excellence in Surgery - SBMC 6/91
• Physicians Choice Award - AMA 3/90 & 4/93
• Who's Who in Upcoming Professionals- 4/90
• Sandoz Pharmacology Award - EVMS 5/87
• Alpha Omega Alpha - EVMS 5/87 (Charter Member)

PRESENTATIONS

• "Current Concepts in Breast Reconstruction", Invited speaker, Busom Buddies Birmingham Chapter. Birmingham, AL. September, 2000.
  
• "Breast Reconstruction Options" , Invited panelist. Breast Cancer Awareness Month Symposium. Metrowest Medical Center. Birmingham, AL. October, 2000.
  
• "Monitoring Free Flaps Post-operatively", Beckenstein, M.S. Greater Birmingham PACU Nurses Association, Birmingham, AL June 1999. (invited speaker)
  
• "A Ten Year Experience With the Free TRAM Flap", Grotting, J.C., Beckenstein, M.S. American Association of Plastic Surgeons, Colorado Springs, CO. May, 1999. (JCG). Annual Breast Symposium, Atlanta, GA, Jan, 1999. (JCG). Breast Surgery Symposium, Santa Fe, NM, Aug, 1998 (JCG).
  
• "Major Complications After TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction", Core, G.B., Beckenstein, M.S., et al. American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA, 1998 (GBC).
  
• "Safety Guidelines for Lidocaine and Epinephrine in Body Contouring Procedures", Beckenstein, M.S., Alabama Interdisciplinary Plastic Surgery Symposium, Birmingham, AL, April, 1998.
  
• "Update on Trilucent Breast Implants", Beckenstein, M.S., Alabama Interdisciplinary Plastic Surgery Symposium, Birmingham, AL, April, 1998.
  
• "Current concepts and treatment of Gynecomastia", Beckenstein, M.S., Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C., 1996.
  
• "Techniques of Nipple Reconstruction", Beckenstein, M.S., Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C., 1996.
  
• "Successful Transplantation of Abdominal Wall Fat Between Identical Twins", Beckenstein, M.S., Hartrampf, C.R., Beegle, P.H., Elliott, L.F., Bennett, G.K., Montreal, Canada, 1995.
  
• "Anatomical parameters for Nipple Position and Areolar Diameter in Males", Beckenstein, M., Windle, B., Stroup, R.; Ohio Valley Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Cleveland, OH, 1995.
  
• "A New Technique for Breast Reduction", Windle, B., Beckenstein, M.; OVSPRS, Cleveland, OH, 1995.
  
• "The Evolution of Nipple Reconstruction Without Skin Grafting", Beckenstein, M., Hartrampf, C.; Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Ponte Vedre, FL, 1995.
  
• "Postrhydidectomy Hematomas and Relative Hypertension", Beckenstein, M., Guyuron, B. Ohio Valley Society of Plastic & Reconstruction ,OVPRS, Indianapolis, IN, 1994.
  
• "Extensive Full Thickness Urethral Defects: Muscle Flap Aids in Urethral Regeneration", Ohio Valley Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, Indianapolis, IN, 1994.
  
• "Extensive Full Thickness Urethral Defects: Muscle Flap Aids in Urethral Regeneration", Senior Residents Conference, Poster, ASPRS; Boston, MA, 1994.
  
• "The Benefits of Exercise on Stress Tolerance in Firefighters", Beckenstein, M., Doline, R., Community Health Symposium, Norfolk, VA, 1986.
  
• "The Effects of Legislation on Genetic Research", Beckenstein, M., Pavecic, J., 1980 Bioethics Conference, Boston, MA, 1981.
  
• "Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature", Beckenstein, M., Forman, M.; Senior Residents Day, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, N.J., 1991.

PUBLICATIONS

• Beckenstein, M.S., Grotting, J.C. Are third party payers pushing autogenous tissue breast reconstruction towards extinction? ( Invited Letter). Breast J. 4:471, 1998.
  
• Spear, S.L., Beckenstein, M.S. The nipple guard: A new method to protect reconstructed nipples. Plast Reconstr Surg. 100:1509, 1997.
  
• DeLuca, L., Beckenstein, M.S., Guyuron, B. Yucatan pig: An optimal hairless model for a true random cutaneous flap. Aesth Plast Surg. 21:205, 1997.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Beegle, P.H., Hartrampf, C.R. Thermal injury to TRAM flaps: A report of five cases. Plast Reconstr Surg. 99:1606, 1997.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Windle, B.H., Stroup, R.T. Nipple position and areolar diameter in males. Ann Plast Surg. 36:33, 1996
  
• Spear, S.L., Beckenstein, M.S. Mammography before abdominoplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 97:131, 1996.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Smith, A.A., Dinchman, K., et al. Muscle flap reconstruction aids in urethral regeneration. Ann Plast Surg. 36:641, 1996.
  
• Windle, B.H., Stroup, R.T., Beckenstein, M.S. The inferiorly based rectus abdominis island flap for the treatment of complex hip wounds. Plast Reconstr. Surg. 98:99, 1996
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Windle, B.H. Basal cell carcinoma in the groin of a black patient with femoral vessel invasion and a second primary malignancy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 98:846, 1996.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Windle, B.H. A new vessel occluder for microvascular anastamoses. J Reconstr Microsurg. 12:55, 1996.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Windle, B.H. A new suction device for microsurgery. J Reconstr Microsurg. 12:127, 1996.
  
• Hartrampf, C.R., Beckenstein, M.S. The use of the TRAM flap after abdominoplasty (Discussion). Sozer, S., Cronin, H., et al. Ann Plast Surg. 35:411, 1995.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Windle, B.H. Basal cell carcinoma in blacks: The need to keep it in the differential diagnosis. Ann Plast Surg. 35:546, 1995.
  
• Grotting, J.C., Beckenstein, M.S. Ultrasonic assisted lipectomy using the solid probe. Invited paper. Plast Reconstr Surg. 105:1917 , 2000
  
• Grotting, J.C., Beckenstein, M.S. Ultrasonic assisted lipectomy: The solid probe technique. Clin Plast Surg. (1999).
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Steenerson, R.L., Elliott, L.F., et al. "Use of a superficial temporal fascia flap for coverage of an exposed cochlear implant". Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 120:940, 1999.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Grotting, J.C. Cervicofacial rejuvenation utilizing ultrasound assisted lipectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg, March, 2001.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Grotting, J.C. Breast reconstruction with free tissue transfer. Breast Journal. Accepted for publication.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Grotting, J.C. Breast reconstruction with free tissue transfer. CME article: Plast Reconstr Surg. Accepted for publication.

TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS

• Spear, S.L., Beckenstein, M.S. Ch. 29, SECONDARY PROSTHETIC CASES. In Surgery of the breast: Principles and art. Spear, Lippincott-Raven, Phila, 1998
  
• Spear, S.L., Beckenstein, M.S., Ch. 31 RECREATING THE INFRAMAMARY FOLD: THE INTERNAL APPROACH. In Surgery of the breast: Principles and art. Spear, Lippincott-Raven, Phila, 1998.
  
• Spear, S.L., Beckenstein, M.S. Ch..41 TRAM FLAPS WITH IMPLANTS. In Surgery of the breast: Principles and art. Spear, Lippincott-Raven, Phila, 1998.
  
• Spear, S.L., Beckenstein, M.S. Ch. 65 THE INFRAMAMMARY APPROACH TO AUGMENTATION MAMMOPLASTY. In Surgery of the breast: Principles and art. Spear, Lippincott-Raven, Phila, 1998
  
• Spear, S.L., Beckenstein, M.S. Ch. 66 THE PERIAREOLAR APPROACH TO AUGMENTATION MAMMOPLASTY. In Surgery of the breast: Principles and art. Spear, Lippincott-Raven, Phila, 1998.
  
• Spear, S.L., Beckenstein, M.S. Ch.68 AUGMENTATION MAMMOPLASTY: DIMENSIONAL CONCEPTS. In Surgery of the breast: Principles and art. Spear, Lippincott-Raven, Phila, 1998.
  
• Spear, S.L., Beckenstein, M.S. BREAST RECONSTRUCTION USING TISSUE EXPANDERS AND IMPLANTS. Ch. 55 In Operative plastic surgery. Evans (Ed). McGraw Hill, NY, 1999.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S., Core, G.C. ULRASONIC ASSISTED LIPECTOMY WITH THE SOLID PROBE. In Ultrasonic assisted lipoplasty. Zocchi, Core, 199.
  
• Grotting, J.C., Beckenstein, M.S. PERIAREOLAR APPROCH USING THE FREE TRAM. In Periareolar breast surgery. Goes and Grotting. Spranger, Phila, 1999.
  
• Beckenstein, M.S. BREAST ANATOMY RELATING TO PERIAREOLAR SURGERY. Goes and Grotting. Spranger, Phila, 1999.
  
• Spear, S.L., Beckenstein, M.S. MASTOPEXY: THE UNFAVORABLE RESULT IN PLASTIC SURGERY; AVOIDANCE AND TREATMENT. 3d ed. Goldwyn and Cohen. Lippincott-Raven, Phila, 1999.

PAPERS

• "The Effect of Bromelain on Postoperative Bruising: A Clinical Study". Beckenstein, M.S., Grotting, J.C. (work in progress)
  
• "Does Ultrasonic Energy Effect the Bone/Cement and Cement/Joint Interface?" Beckenstein, M.S., Grotting, J.C., Lemmons, J. (work in progress)
  
• "Metastatic Breast Carcinoma Found in the Medial Thigh Skin After Scar Revision: A Case for Systemic Disease?" Beckenstein, M.S., Grotting, J.C., et. al. (work in progress)
• "The Free TRAM Flap: A Ten Year Experience". Grotting, J.C., Beckenstein, M.S. (work in progress)
  
• "Major Complications Following TRAM Flap Breast Reconstruction". Core, G.C., Beckenstein, M.S., et. al. (work in progress)
  
• "Complications Resulting in Hospitalization Following Outpatient Aesthetic Procedures". Beckenstein, M.S., Grotting, J.C. (work in progress)
  
• "Experience With the Ruben's Flap, A Peri-Iliac Fat Flap for Breast Reconstruction". Beckenstein, M., Hartrampf, C., Elliott, L.F., Beegle, P., Bennett, G.K.
  
• "The Evolution of Nipple Reconstruction Without Skin Grafts". Hartrampf, C., Beckenstein, M.
  
• "Successful Transplantation of Abdominal Wall Fat Between Identical Twins for Breast Reconstruction". Hartrampf, C., Beckenstein, M., Elliot, L.F., Beegle, P., Bennett, G.K.
  
• "Mohs' Surgery: A Strategy for the Treatment of Aggressive Basal Cell Carcinoma". Beckenstein, M., Lam, G., Windle, B.H.
  
• "Incisions for the Skin Sparing Mastectomy". Windle, B.H., Beckenstein, M.
  
• "A New Technique for Reduction Mammaplasty". Windle, B.H., Beckenstein, M.
  
• "The Nasal Quilting Suture: A Method in the Correction of the Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity". Windle, B.H., Beckenstein, M.
  
• "The Use of a Porous Polyethylene Implant for the Reconstruction of a Traumatic Ear Deformity- A Case Report". Beckenstein, M., Windle, B.H.
  
• "Postrhydidectomy Hematomas and Relative Hypertension". Beckenstein, M., Guyuron, B., 1994 (Submitted for Publication)
  
• "The Effects of Sequence of Chemical Peels on Flaps". DeLuca, L.M., Beckenstein, M., Guyuron, B.H.
  
• "The Effect of Shape on Flap Survival", DeLuca, L.M., Beckenstein, M., Guyuron, B.H.
  
• "The Diagnosis of Ruptured Breast Implants", Beckenstein, M., Windle, B.H., Anderson, J.M.
  
• "Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, A case report and review of the Literature", Beckenstein, M., Forman, M., 1990.
  
• "Enteric Bacterial Translocation Associated with Several Models of Sepsis", McCullough, J., Rush, B., Beckenstein, M., Machiedo, G., 1991 (Submitted to Journal of American Research)

PATENTS

• #5569237 Breast Marking Device
• Pending, Extender for Sponge Tip Applicator
• Pending, Overhead Surgical Video System
• Pending, Laser Pointer/Slide Remote Control

COMMITTEES

• Medical Advisory Board; Y-Me Organization
  
• Scientific Committee: XII Congress of the International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, San Francisco, CA,1999.

COURSES AND SEMINARS

• Breast Reconstruction Symposium, Atlanta, GA, 1999 ,2000. Editing and video presentations.
  
• Breast Reconstruction Symposium, Atlanta GA, 1995. Participated in live surgery.
  
• Alabama Interdisciplinary Plastic Surgery Symposium, Birmingham, AL., 1998, invited faculty.

RESEARCH

• Research Fellowship in Plastic Surgery at Case Western Reserve University
  Cleveland, Ohio from 7/94 - 12/94
  
• Participated in the Hemorrhagic Shock studies conducted by
  Dr. Benjamin Rush at the University of Medicine and Dentistry
  of New Jersey, from 3/90 - 6/90.

MEMBERSHIPS

• Board Eligible American Board of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (1994)
• Eligible for Certificate of Qualification in Hand Surgery
• American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (Candidate)
• American Medical Association
• Associate Fellow of The American College of Surgeons
• Fellow of International College of Surgeons 6/94
• Dolphin Research Center
• Y-Me Organization 1996
• International Society of Ultrasonic Surgery (ISUS) 1999
• Susan Komen Foundation 2000

DIVERSIONS

• Weightlifting
• Baseball
• SCUBA Diving (NAUI Cert.)
• Pastel Artwork
• Civil War History
• Gourmet Cooking

Cosmetic Surgeon Certification

Before a patient undergoes a surgical procedure, they must choose the right surgeon. They should find a surgeon with the appropriate credentials for their desired procedure. There is often confusion between the terms "plastic surgeon" and " cosmetic surgeon," and patients need to know the differences that exist. Any doctor can perform plastic surgical procedures and call themselves a "plastic" or " cosmetic surgeon." This term has unfortunately become a generic term. It is up to the patient to determine the qualifications and certifications of their prospective surgeon! The term caveat emptor, or buyer beware, is apropos to plastic surgery. The term "board certified" alone is not a sufficient qualification as there are self-proclaimed boards of plastic or cosmetic surgery which are not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the main body of the 24 recognized medical specialties. A board ensures that the surgeon has successfully completed an accredited residency program in plastic surgery and has fulfilled the examination process necessary to obtain board certification. Certification by the ABMS-recognized American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) guarantees that the doctor has successfully fulfilled these requirements, and potential patients should thoroughly understand these certifications when seeking a plastic surgeon anywhere in the United States, including Birmingham. When evaluating a cosmetic surgeon, make sure to find out if he or she is ABPS certified. This guarantees he or she is certified to perform aesthetic (cosmetic) or reconstructive surgery of the face and body.

Plastic Surgeons; "Facial" vs. "General"

There has also been confusion regarding the term "facial plastic surgeon" and "general plastic surgeon." Basically, a general plastic surgeon is certified to perform facial plastic surgery and plastic surgery of the body. A facial plastic surgeon is not certified to perform plastic or aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery on the body, but many offer body procedures anyway. Their certification is confined to the head and neck.

There is an ABMS-recognized board certifying facial plastic surgeons who are only certified to perform aesthetic procedures on the face, head, and neck. These surgeons can legitimately identify themselves as plastic surgeons. Some even offer procedures on other body areas, although they are not board certified to do so. It is up to you, the patient, to determine what procedures your "plastic", or " cosmetic" surgeon is board certified to perform! The term "general plastic surgeon" was derived by facial plastic surgeons to delineate their specialty from a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which certifies plastic surgeons. Therefore, the term "general plastic surgeon" might appear to imply that the ABPS surgeon is not proficient in performing facial plastic surgery, but the ABPS certificate states that the surgeon is certified to perform "cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head and neck, trunk, and extremities." A facial plastic surgeon is not eligible to be certified by the ABPS unless they complete an accredited plastic surgery residency program. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is not ABMS sanctioned. Members of this board have not completed residencies in plastic surgery and often learn procedures from "weekend" courses. This society is usually comprised of gynecologists, dermatologists, oral surgeons and others.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Once a patient has verified a surgeon's certifications, they can ask to see the surgeon's resume. This will provide information about where a plastic (cosmetic) surgeon has trained and if fellowship training was completed. Additional training after a residency is known as a fellowship, where expertise in a particular aspect of surgery is obtained. The resume should list the plastic (cosmetic) surgeon's membership in various local and national societies. Membership attests that the surgeon has met the ethical and practice standards set by the society. Membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) assures that the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has met the stringent ethical and practice requirements of the society.

The choice of an appropriate plastic surgeon must start with certification and qualifications. Patients must then become comfortable with the personality of a cosmetic surgeon and their staff. Patients should make sure all their questions are answered before undergoing a procedure.

Please contact our office in Birmingham today to learn more about how to choose the right plastic (cosmetic) surgeon. You can also visit our FAQs page to view a list of questions to ask prospective plastic surgeons.