Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Fillers & Injectibles Lasers, Lights & Peels

Choosing a Surgeon

The four steps in choosing the right plastic surgeon are:

1. Choose the names of the plastic surgeon
2. Check the surgeons' training and credentials
3. Obtain a consultation with the surgeon/s
4. Make the right choice

There are multiple ways to obtain the names of plastic surgeons. Some ways include: friends, doctors, nurses, hospitals, special directories, state medical board, paid advertising, web sites, rankings or listings of doctors, and plastic surgery information services:

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) (http://www.plasticsurgery.org)
• American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) (http://www.surgery.org)

It is important to know that any medical doctor is licensed to practice cosmetic/plastic surgery or any other specialty under their MD degree, but may never have been adequately trained in that specialty. With more and more doctors entering the cosmetic surgical field, the process of choosing a plastic surgeon has been confusing for patients. As a result, it is important to research the training and credentials of your surgeon.

Your surgeon should be able to supply you with written documentation of his/her training and credentials. It is important that your plastic surgeon is board certified in the specialty of plastic surgery and not in another specialty.

A board certified plastic surgeon has completed a two year plastic surgical residency preceded by three to five years of training in a pre-certified field of surgery. He/she has completed and passed a written examination encompassing all areas of general plastic surgery, as well as an oral examination encompassing case presentations, surgical judgment, fund of knowledge, and medical ethics. Board certification takes a minimum of two years after residency training to complete. Please note you can check board certification credentials with the American Board of Medical Specialties (http://www.certifieddoctor.org). Make sure to check that your surgeon is certified in the specialty of plastic surgery.

Even though your surgical procedure may be performed in the physician's own surgery center, it is important that your plastic surgeon has privileges to perform your procedure in a hospital and not just his/her own same-day surgical suite. It is important to check if the surgical facility is accredited. Having hospital privileges means the surgeon has been approved by a body of his/her peers. The hospital has thoroughly checked the surgeon's training and credentials. Please note you can call your surgeon's hospital/s to check his/her privilege status.

It is difficult to evaluate your surgeon's experience and artistic ability. However, from the consultation, you should be able to evaluate your surgeon's ability to explain the procedure, review surgical options, explain possible risks and complications, and predict probable outcomes.

Your surgeon may belong to a number of professional organizations and societies (some more noteworthy than others, such as The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). Your surgeon may also have been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and written articles, as well as radio and television, which may add credibility to his/her credentials, or may be part of a paid public relations promotional service.

Your consultation should include an introduction to the surgeon and his/her staff. The surgeon should take a medical history and physical examination to evaluate your concerns and formulate a surgical plan. Your surgeon will ask you about your motives as well as your expectations. You should obtain information about the surgical procedure, recovery, risks and possible complications, costs, type of anesthesia used, and the surgical facility and team. Most surgeons will provide you with written information about your procedure, his/her credentials, and pre/post operative instructions.

Your surgeon should be able to explain the surgical procedure in understandable terms, and answer all of your questions. It is important to evaluate the surgeon's staff, as well as the office environment. The surgeon should be pleasant, attentive and encourage questions. In addition, the surgeon should be able to show 'Before and After' photographs of patients who have had similar surgeries. Remember, your ability to communicate with your surgeon is paramount.

After you have obtained your surgeon's name, checked his/her credentials, and are satisfied with your consultation, you should feel confident that you have made the correct choice. Safety and surgical outcome should be your top priorities. Even though price is of concern, the cheapest may not necessarily be the best.

It is my belief that an educated patient allows you to determine your personal goals, and enables you to make an informed decision. No matter what type of plastic surgery you are considering, the most important factor in its success is the surgeon you choose.

1. Is the surgeon board certified in plastic surgery? (accept no other certification)

2. Does the surgeon have privileges to do your procedure at an accredited hospital?

3. Did the surgeon make you feel comfortable?

4. Is the operating facility accredited?

5. Has the surgeon been willing to answer all of your questions and address your concerns?

6. Did the surgeon and his/her staff act professionally?

7. *Is the surgeon a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?

8. *Is the surgeon a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery?

9. Is the person who is doing the consult, the surgeon that will be performing the procedure?

Please note: The questions with the asterisks (*) are suggested but not mandatory.

Information on this page is not a substitute for medical consultation or advice. Please contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss the best treatments for you.

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