What to Look for in a Plastic Surgeon
Are you ready to take the next step on your journey to increasing confidence and looking younger? If so, you may be wondering what to look for in a plastic surgeon.
Making the decision to have a surgical procedure is a big deal and not one to take lightly. So just as you probably took time in picking your family doctor or other healthcare professional, you want to be sure you find the plastic surgeon who will serve you best.
Finding the ideal surgeon who understands and connects with you is crucial in having the best plastic surgery experience possible.
What to Look for in a Plastic Surgeon
Once you start researching the possibilities, here are the steps you’ll want to take.
- Check out the Facility
Maybe you’ve been recommended several doctors and are ready to set up an appointment. Before you do that, check out the facility where you’ll have the procedure you’re considering.
Because your surgery will more than likely take place in this facility, you want to ensure it meets the same high standards of safety, quality, and patient care that a hospital does.
The facility should have AT LEAST ONE of the following certifications:
- State licensure
- Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
- American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAASF)
- Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)
- Title XVIII Medicare participation
In other words, do the necessary footwork to ensure you’ll be in an accredited and accommodating facility. Any plastic surgeon worth his or her salt will ONLY perform in such facilities.
- Insist on a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Aside from an accredited facility, you’ll also want a plastic surgeon who’s board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Regard any doctor without this certification as a red flag.
Certification through the ABPS means your potential surgeon has completed a rigorous board certification process by the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
A surgeon who’s also a member of the the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) or the the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) is a huge bonus. These aren’t certifying organizations. But they require that members follow a strict set of training and patient safety standards to qualify for and maintain membership.
All of these credentials indicate that you’ve found a highly-trained and skilled surgeon who’s qualified to perform your procedure.
- Take Advantage of Free Consultation
Once you’ve done your homework and found a doctor that meets all of the above credentials, you’ll want to actually meet with him or her.
The vast majority of plastic surgeons offer a free consultation so you can sit down with the doctor in question and get a feel for his or her work.
Consider the following questions:
- What are your aesthetic goals?
- Can the surgeon tailor your treatment to meet these goals?
- Will he or she be understanding of your specific needs?
- Does his or her artistic vision align with yours?
In sitting with your potential surgeon and having him or her answer these questions, you’ll begin to get a feel for whether you’ll have the proper rapport with him or her. This is something you won’t be able to find by merely doing a search on the internet. The right provider will also deliver a realistic timeline for your recovery based on the medical history you provide.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for photos of the surgeon’s work, as well as case studies and patient testimonials. Any surgeon that refuses to do this is not worth your time.
Are You Considering Plastic Surgery?
Now that you know what to look for in a plastic surgeon, you can begin your search.
Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons in our accredited facility.
He or she will answer your questions and address your concerns, so you can walk away feeling confident about your procedure.
