Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon Joseph DiBello, MD
Joseph N. DiBello, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.
Board-Certified Surgeon in both General and Plastic Surgery
- Meet Dr. DiBello
- What Is a Plastic Surgeon?
- Why Is Board Certification Important?
- Why Choose Dr. DiBello?
- Q & A with Dr. DiBello
Meet Dr. Joseph DiBello
Respected surgeons choose Dr. Joseph DiBello to perform plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery on both themselves and their loved ones.
What does that say about Dr. DiBello and his abilities? Plenty. As the person behind the name, Dr. Joseph DiBello operates, literally and figuratively, with the highest level of integrity. Right away in their first consultation with him, clients see that he is fully focused on what they are saying, how they are feeling, and what their goals are for plastic or reconstructive surgery. He makes sure that every question is answered – thoroughly. He explains each particular procedure carefully. Dr. DiBello also always has a second consultation with each client to answer any new questions that may have arisen since his initial meeting. It is this high level of attention that lends itself so well to his expertise in the operating room and his belief that each patient deserves the best care and the best results.
Dr. DiBello completed his General Surgical training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and his Plastic Surgery fellowship at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Currently, Dr. DiBello is Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Jeanes Hospital and is on staff at Holy Redeemer Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor (Adjunct) in Temple University’s School of Medicine in the Department of Surgery. In addition to his clinical appointments, Dr. DiBello maintains a number of professional affiliations. He is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), as well as an active member of The Aesthetic Society (formerly known as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS), Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and a member of the Robert H. Ivy Society of Plastic Surgeons. As a plastic surgeon, Dr. DiBello has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles.
What Is a Plastic Surgeon?
To earn the title of “plastic surgeon,” doctors must first complete at least three years of a general surgery residency, followed by plastic surgery-specific training for an additional three years. After medical school, plastic surgeons typically complete approximately six to eight years of advanced supplemental training in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery of the breasts, face, and body via fellowships and residencies. This extensive amount of training and education enables plastic surgeons to obtain a thorough understanding of the relationship between muscles, skin, nerves, blood vessels, and other underlying structures and tissues, ultimately leading to an ability to treat a comprehensive range of cosmetic and reconstructive concerns with optimal results.
It is important to note that there is a difference between a plastic surgeon and a medical professional who offers cosmetic surgery. A plastic surgeon is highly trained in cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, but physicians who are trained in other areas of medicine may still sometimes offer aesthetic procedures—they might even refer to themselves as “cosmetic surgeons.” The key difference between these two types of surgeons is that a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. DiBello will be more knowledgeable and well-equipped to address any potential complications that may arise during a plastic surgery procedure, whereas a medical professional lacking in the same type of specialized education might not be able to do so. As a result, seeking an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon for aesthetic and reconstructive care can help ensure you receive safe and effective treatment.
The below logos are very important to you, the prospective patient. Why? Because they identify Dr. DiBello as a Fellow of the most highly respected organization for surgeons, The American College of Surgeons, certified by the only board of plastic surgery recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, The American Board of Plastic Surgery, and a member of two of the most highly respected organizations for plastic surgeons—The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and The Aesthetic Society. Members of the American College of Surgeons are referred to as “Fellows.” The letters FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon’s name mean that the surgeon’s education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College.
Why Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?
The mission of The American Board of Plastic Surgery is to promote safe, ethical, efficacious plastic surgery to the public by maintaining high standards for the education, examination, certification, and maintenance of certification of plastic surgeons as specialists and subspecialties. As such, The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) evaluates and passes judgment on the training and knowledge of broadly competent and responsible plastic surgeons. Members of the ASPS are certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, operate only in accredited medical facilities, adhere to a strict code of ethics, and fulfill continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety. The Aesthetic Society (formerly known as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS) is the leading organization of board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in cosmetic plastic surgery. Membership in The Aesthetic Society ensures that a doctor not only is ABPS-certified but also has significant experience in cosmetic surgery. The Aesthetic Society’s membership is by invitation only. These logos are symbols that Dr. DiBello maintains the highest degree of integrity and safety in his practice.
What Distinguishes Dr. DiBello from Other Plastic Surgeons in Philadelphia?
Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Dr. DiBello, so unlike many surgeons, he is passionate about offering only treatments that have long been proven to be both safe and effective—he is extremely cautious of jumping on board with trending plastic surgery fads.
Dr. DiBello also knows that deciding to undergo a plastic surgery procedure is intensely personal, so treating patients with compassion and individualized care is also tremendously important to him. It is Dr. DiBello’s firm belief that patients should never be pressured into a procedure they do not want or need—he emphasizes the fact that everyone has different aesthetic preferences and goals, so each patient’s idea of the “perfect” result will vary (which is also one of the reasons why he chooses not to publish his patients’ before-and-after photos on his website). Through friendly, personalized attention, Dr. DiBello ensures that all patients are comfortable and well-informed about their choices. It is for this reason that so many medical professionals trust Dr. DiBello when seeking aesthetic care for themselves or their loved ones; he is known as “The Doctor’s Doctor.”
Q & A With Dr. DiBello
Q: What was your inspiration for becoming a plastic surgeon?
A: Early in the course of my General Surgery training at Thomas Jefferson University, I was fortunate to work with and be mentored by Dr. John Moore. Dr. Moore was not only a consummate gentleman and respected teacher, but was also an extremely gifted Plastic Surgeon. His approach and planning in both cosmetic and complicated reconstructive surgeries, and ability to carry this out flawlessly, is what led me to pursue a career in plastic surgery. While he is no longer with us, I carry to this day the insight, wisdom, and technical instruction that he afforded me during my training.
Q: What do you love most about being a plastic surgeon?
A: Because plastic surgery training is by its nature extremely comprehensive—with training taking six to nine years after medical school—plastic surgeons are able to operate on all of the soft tissue areas of the body. I am fortunate to have had great training and a well-balanced private practice, which allows me to provide both reconstructive services, as well as a full spectrum of cosmetic surgery procedures performed on the face, breast, and virtually any areas of the body.
Q: What sets you apart from other plastic surgeons?
A: I am inherently conservative in my approach to surgery, in that I will not offer new or trendy plastic surgery procedures—despite the social media popularity or demand—until I have seen outcomes studies attesting to their safety and efficacy. I approach each patient as an individual and try to achieve a natural result for all my patients, whether it is a minor procedure in the office, or a larger hospital surgery.
Q: Are there certain accomplishments or patient cases you are particularly proud of?
A: Reconstructing a breast after breast cancer surgery is inherently rewarding, but so are more cosmetic procedures, such as removing a hump on a nose, restoring balance to asymmetric breasts, renewing self-confidence and self-image after the effects of pregnancy, or treating a man with gynecomastia.
Q: Do you have a favorite plastic surgery procedure?
A: The most fulfilling procedure is one in which the patient not only has a correctable issue, but has realistic goals and expectations. As I have become a better screener and evaluator of patients’ candidacy for the procedures they are seeking, I have found that the surgery and results are more predictable, and therefore more enjoyable for me in general.
Q: What are you most excited about in regard to the future of plastic surgery?
A: Research into stem cells, growth factors, and regenerative tissues are the most exciting with respect to not only reconstructive applications, but also cosmetic anti-aging procedures. Autologous fat transfer is currently a very popular procedure that I perform, both for the breasts and the buttocks, with excellent outcomes in both safety and patient satisfaction. The hope is that, in the near future, advances in the understanding and application of stem cells/growth factors to the autologous fat transfer procedure would yield improved fat uptake and survival.