Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Meet Dr. Lechtman

Skilled Hands and a Listening Ear

Dr. Alex LechtmanAlex Lechtman, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, providing expert and compassionate plastic surgery procedures in the Central Valley. His surgical offerings include breast augmentation, breast reduction and lifts, tummy tucks, face and brow lifts, as well as ultrasonic liposuction. Dr. Lechtman works with each patient to help them reach their ideal body-sculpting goals and is the only plastic surgeon in Tulare County with hospital privileges.

Why do hospital privileges matter?

Plastic surgeons who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons have pledged to operate only in facilities that are fully accredited. This means that your operating room experience will be conducted to the same high standards that are in place in a hospital. Having privileges to admit patients and operate at a reputable hospital means the plastic surgeon has satisfied the hospital’s credentialing committee, the Medical Board and Board of Trustees of that Institution, and that they are competent and qualified to perform the procedures they’ve been granted credentials to perform.

For many patients, it’s a great comfort to know that a plastic surgeon’s performance, background and experience are under review by his or her peers and colleagues. A doctor operating without hospital privileges is not subject to the same degree of peer review. Also, if a complication occurs, a non-certified surgeon may not be able to coordinate your care should you need admission to a hospital for subsequent treatment. This means that if patients of other plastic surgeons have a problem post-operatively, their plastic surgeon cannot attend to them and Dr. Lechtman is called in. Before selecting a plastic surgeon, do your homework and check credentials.

I welcome your questions. Email me at alechtman@vmchealth.com.

Why does Board certification in plastic surgery matter?

To achieve Board-certification, Dr. Lechtman completed medical school and then served first as a surgical resident for six years, undergoing rigorous training in all aspects of surgery. He then trained in plastic surgery for another two years. The process of earning Board certification can take 6 to 8 years.

Is a cosmetic surgeon different than a plastic surgeon?

Yes! A practitioner referred to as a cosmetic surgeon might belong to any medical specialty and is not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (this is the only Board that certifies plastic surgeons). The practitioner may perform cosmetic procedures based upon training that may include weekend courses on topics like how to perform liposuction, utilize injectables or place breast implants. Dr. Lechtman is a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Staff

Sue St. Martin, C.C.M.A.

Portrait of Sue St. Martin, C.C.M.A.

Noemi Hernandez, R.M.A.

Portrait of Noemi Hernandez, C.C.M.A.

Amanda Estrada, C.M.A.A.

Portrait of Amanda Estrada, C.M.A.A.

Related Blogs
  • Request a Consultation

    Contact us today to schedule a consultation, or if you have any questions about a procedure.