People choose plastic surgery for a variety of reasons, including aesthetic and medical. Plastic surgery, when done well, can treat stubborn body areas that a healthy diet and exercise have been unable to budge, improve your self-image, and repair parts of the anatomy that require reconstruction as the result of a medical condition or age.
If you decide that you want to have plastic surgery, the next step is to choose a plastic surgeon that will be able to give you the results you desire.
First, you will want to make sure your plastic surgeon of choice has training and experience in the specific procedure you want to have done. The more experience the plastic surgeon has, the better.
To make sure any plastic surgeon you consider has the skills needed, confirm that he/she is board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Genuine board-certified doctors are credentialed by this organization and have a diploma on the wall saying so. A doctor certified by the ABPS must have met the following requirements:
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- Earned a degree from an accredited medical school
- Completed 3 years of general surgery
- Have completed 2-3 years of supervised residency in plastic surgery
- Have had at least 2 years of professional practice
- Have passed rigorous written and oral exams
You can also find information about the plastic surgeon’s credentials by visiting the American Society of Plastic Surgeon’s website at www.plasticsurgery.org.
If you need more recommendations, ask a trusted friend or other doctors for names of talented plastic surgeons. Talking to some of the surgeon’s previous patients about their experience may increase your comfort level.
Second, you will want to confirm whether the plastic surgeon you have in mind specializes in cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. They are not the same. Board-certified cosmetic surgeons can be dermatologists, ENTs or even OB-GYNs with no training and experience in the procedure you plan to undergo. You can learn about a physician’s specialties and training by checking with the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, which lists requirements beyond being board certified. Be sure to read the fine print when viewing the doctor’s credentials.
Next, you will want to check the surgeon’s record. To do this, contact your state’s medical board. You may be able to view this online. You will also want to make sure your surgeon is licensed to practice medicine in your state.
Fourth, a reputable plastic surgeon will take the time to explain the procedure thoroughly during your consultation. He will also welcome questions and answer them to the best of his ability. Questions you may want to ask include, but are not limited to:
How many times have you performed the procedure?
How long have you performed the procedure?
What other procedures do you perform?
Can I see multiple before and after photos of patients on whom you have performed this procedure?
Can you provide me with three to five reference patients on whom you’ve performed the procedure?
How long will the procedure last?
Where will the surgery take place?
What is involved in the procedure? How is it performed?
Will post-operative medicine be necessary?
Will there be noticeable scarring?
What realistic result can I expect?
Will the physician perform the procedure from the first cut to the last stitch?
What are the risks associated with this procedure?
What are the warning signs or concerns to watch for?
Do you do revisions and at what cost?
Remember, there are risks involved with any surgical procedure. You can never ask too many questions.
