When you choose facial plastic surgery with Dr. Eric Cerrati, every element of your care — from the first consultation through the day of your procedure — is held to the highest possible standard. The surgical facility at our Salt Lake City location, 3179 South Highland Dr., Suite 102, is an office-based operating room designed and equipped to meet and exceed hospital-level protocols. Certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), this surgery center reflects a singular commitment: that every patient who entrusts us with their care deserves a surgical environment as exceptional as the surgeon performing their procedure.

Dr. Cerrati is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon — certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery — and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). His training includes a five-year residency at New York University and an AAFPRS-sponsored fellowship at the Facial Plastic Surgery Center in Chicago under renowned surgeons Drs. Regan Thomas, Dean Toriumi, and Steven Dayan. With more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and 50 national and international presentations to his name, Dr. Cerrati brings a rigorously scientific foundation to every procedure performed in this facility.

“For me, safety is not a feature — it is the foundation. I wanted a surgical environment that gives our patients every protection a hospital can offer, in a setting that feels private, personal, and calm.” — Dr. Eric Cerrati, MD, FACS

What Is an AAAASF-Certified Surgery Center?

An office-based operating room — also called an ambulatory surgery center — is a fully equipped, self-contained surgical facility located within the practice rather than at a hospital. When properly accredited, these centers operate under the same rigorous safety standards as hospital ORs, with the added benefit of a controlled, intimate environment focused exclusively on the procedures performed there.

AAAASF is the gold standard of accreditation for office-based and ambulatory surgical centers. Earning this certification requires a comprehensive review of facility design, equipment standards, sterilization protocols, emergency preparedness, clinical staff credentialing, and peer-review processes. This designation is not self-reported: it involves an independent, formal review and a continuous quality-improvement framework that ensures standards are maintained over time.

Procedures Performed at Our Salt Lake City Surgery Center

Because Dr. Cerrati’s practice is devoted exclusively to the face and neck, this surgery center is configured and equipped specifically for the precision demands of facial plastic surgery. Every instrument, every protocol, and every team member is focused on one area of the body — a depth of specialization that translates directly into better outcomes for patients. Procedures routinely performed here include:

• Deep Plane Facelift: Dr. Cerrati’s signature procedure and area of greatest expertise. The deep plane technique addresses the foundational layers of the face to deliver natural, long-lasting rejuvenation without the pulled or operated appearance associated with older techniques.
• Deep Necklift: A comprehensive approach to neck rejuvenation that addresses muscle banding, excess skin, and submental fullness at the structural level, creating a defined jawline and softened neck contour.
• Rhinoplasty: Both primary and revision rhinoplasty procedures, with a focus on harmonious, proportionate results that complement each patient’s unique facial anatomy. Dr. Cerrati is also experienced in teenage rhinoplasty for appropriately selected candidates.
• Blepharoplasty: Upper and lower eyelid surgery to address excess skin, herniated fat, and muscle laxity that causes a tired or aged appearance around the eyes. Often combined with browlift for comprehensive upper-face rejuvenation.
• Endoscopic Browlift: A minimally invasive approach to lifting and repositioning a descended brow, reducing forehead lines, and restoring a more alert, refreshed appearance without visible scarring.
• Lip Lift & Corner Lift: Surgical procedures to shorten the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip, increase tooth show, and restore youthful lip proportion — with results that are permanent, unlike injectable alternatives.
• Combined and Complex Cases: Many patients choose to address multiple concerns in a single surgical session. Dr. Cerrati routinely performs combined procedures — such as facelift with blepharoplasty and browlift — coordinating each element for safety and achieving harmonious results across the entire face.

Why Accreditation and Anesthesia Credentials Matter

Patients considering surgery at our Salt Lake City practice frequently ask why the accreditation of a surgical facility matters. The answer is straightforward: where your surgery is performed is as important as who performs it. Our surgery center distinguishes itself in several meaningful ways:

• AAAASF Certification: The facility meets the highest nationally recognized standards for ambulatory surgical safety, equipment, infection control, and emergency response — independently verified through formal review, not self-attestation.
• Board-Certified Anesthesiologists Only: Every procedure is supported by a physician anesthesiologist who holds board certification — a qualified physician, not simply a technician — whose sole focus throughout your case is the safety and management of your anesthesia.
• Exclusive Surgical Focus: This is a dedicated operating room, not a multipurpose treatment space. Equipment, supplies, and protocols are calibrated specifically for facial plastic surgery.
• Emergency Preparedness: The facility maintains certified emergency equipment and response protocols, with a board-certified anesthesiologist on site throughout every case to manage rare but serious events quickly and effectively.
• Credentialed Clinical Team: Every staff member involved in your surgical care is credentialed in accordance with AAAASF standards, giving you confidence in every person in that operating room.

Your Day of Surgery: What to Expect

On the day of your procedure, Dr. Cerrati’s dedicated clinical team will guide you through preparation, review your pre-operative instructions, and answer any final questions. The board-certified anesthesiologist will meet with you privately to confirm your anesthesia plan before you enter the operating room.

Inside the operating room, you will find a quiet, focused environment designed for concentration and precision — not the noise or unpredictability of a large hospital. Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. Upon discharge, you will receive detailed post-operative instructions, a personalized recovery plan, and Dr. Cerrati’s direct contact information for use throughout your recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Surgery Center

What is AAAASF accreditation, and why does it matter?

AAAASF — the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities — is the leading national accrediting body for office-based and ambulatory surgical centers. Earning this certification means the facility has met rigorous, independently verified standards for safety, staffing, equipment, sterilization, and emergency preparedness. It is not self-reported; it requires a formal review process and ongoing compliance.

Why is a board-certified anesthesiologist required for my procedure?

A board-certified anesthesiologist is a physician who has completed medical school, a full residency in anesthesiology, and passed board certification examinations. They are specifically trained to anticipate and manage complex or unexpected anesthesia events — a level of qualification that provides meaningful protection in any surgical setting.

Is an office-based OR as safe as a hospital operating room?

When a facility holds active AAAASF accreditation — as this one does — it operates under the same patient safety standards as a hospital OR. For elective facial plastic surgery on appropriately screened patients, an accredited office-based OR also provides a significantly lower risk of hospital-acquired infections compared to a large acute-care facility.

Can multiple procedures be performed in the same surgical session?

Yes. Dr. Cerrati routinely performs combined cases — such as a deep plane facelift with blepharoplasty and browlift — in a single session when appropriate for the patient’s health profile and goals. Combining procedures reduces overall recovery time and allows for a more harmonious, comprehensive result. Patient safety screening is conducted in advance to confirm candidacy.

What happens if there is a medical emergency during surgery?

The surgery center is equipped with certified emergency equipment — including advanced airway management and resuscitation protocols — and all clinical staff are trained in emergency response procedures. The board-certified anesthesiologist present throughout your procedure is specifically qualified to manage anesthetic emergencies. Transfer protocols are in place should hospital-level intervention ever be required.

How do I prepare for surgery at this facility?

Dr. Cerrati’s team will provide a complete pre-operative packet well before your scheduled procedure, covering dietary and medication guidelines, what to bring, and arrival instructions. You will also have an opportunity to speak directly with the board-certified anesthesiologist before your procedure date to review your medical history and confirm your anesthesia plan.

Why Choose Dr. Cerrati’s Surgery Center

Every element of this surgery center reflects the same precision and commitment that characterizes Dr. Cerrati’s surgical technique. Patients who travel from across the country to work with a surgeon recognized in Allure, Elle, Refinery29, and featured among the nation’s Top 100 Doctors deserve a facility that matches that level of rigor. AAAASF certification, board-certified anesthesiologists, and a clinical team credentialed specifically for facial plastic surgery combine to create an environment where outcomes are protected at every level.

This is not simply compliance with a regulatory standard — it is an expression of Dr. Cerrati’s philosophy that patient safety is the non-negotiable foundation of excellent surgical results. From the moment you arrive at our Salt Lake City surgery center to the day your final follow-up is complete, every decision made in this facility has been made with your safety, comfort, and outcome as the guiding priority.

Schedule Your Consultation in Salt Lake City

To learn more about procedures available at our AAAASF-certified surgery center or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Eric Cerrati, MD, FACS, contact the practice by calling 801-497-6944 or by submitting a consultation request online. We look forward to guiding you through every step of your surgical journey with the safety, transparency, and personalized attention you deserve.