How Do You Choose The Right Plastic Surgeon?
Once you have decided that cosmetic surgery is the right choice for you, that’s when the real important choice comes in. For the best possible outcomes, you want to make sure that you’re also choosing the plastic surgeon that is best suited to your needs.
But what goes into choosing the right one? Here, we will look at the criteria, what you should be looking out for, and what might make it easier to choose between qualified and legitimate providers in your area.
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Check that they are certified
You want to make sure that the surgeon you choose has all of the necessary qualifications and markers of quality to assure you that they can provide the services they offer as safely and expertly as possible.
This is especially important in the world of plastic surgery, as doctors who have general surgery experience may be able to hop into cosmetic surgery, depending on what state you are in.
To that end, you should look for trusted logos on their website to make sure that they are certified by bodies such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
There are a few boards like these, which can help you see which plastic surgeons are accepted as professionals in the field by their peers.
They have plenty of experience
Certification is all well and good, but you want to make sure that you’re putting yourself in the hands of someone with plenty of experience. On the website for the surgeon of your choice, they should have a page that goes into detail about the surgeons working at the practice.
There, you should be able to see not only what kind of medical education they have had, but any additional training or internships, and how long they have been practicing plastic surgery.
There isn’t a specific amount of time that you should be looking for, of course, but you don’t want to be their first patient. A few years in the field should be enough.
Please take a look at examples of their work
Any practiced plastic surgeon will have plenty of experience, and they will be able to show that experience, as well. If you’re looking for the Top Plastic Surgeon, then you should be able to find examples of their work on their website.
Preferably, they will be able to provide a “before and after” photo series to demonstrate the kind of change that you can expect from their work.
Aside from being a medical procedure, there is a degree of artistry that goes into a lot of cosmetic procedures, so you want to make sure that the surgeon is not only capable but that they match your aesthetic preferences.
Make sure they’re able to provide the procedure that you’re looking for
Beyond making sure that the surgeon of your choice is experienced and can demonstrate that experience, do they have experience in the specific procedure that you are looking to have done?
Some plastic surgeons specialize in a wide range of different procedures, and, as such, you should make sure that a) they offer the procedure you’re looking for amongst their solutions and b) they have experience in doing those procedures.
Again, you should hopefully be able to take a look at before and after photos of their work for the specific procedure that you would like done. Of course, it is always possible that you’re not entirely sure, yet, what procedure, you want, and you could figure this out during your consultation.
Arrange a consultation with them
If you have gotten all of the necessary information about whether they have the experience, and credentials, and are able to provide the specific procedures that you are looking for, then the next step is to make a visit and meet with them, face-to-face.
The purpose of a consultation is manifold: to explore your treatment options, address your goals, and make sure that you’re comfortable with proceeding. However, it is also your opportunity to talk to your potential future surgeon to get an idea of what kind of personality, temperament, and approach to service they have.
If you don’t feel like your time or questions are respected, for instance, then they might not be the right one for you.
Can they offer you the information you’re looking for?
A good plastic surgeon should leave you feeling confident and assured about the procedure that you have agreed to undergo with them as such, they should be able to explain that procedure, the step-by-step of how it works, what kind of results you can expect, and any preparation or aftercare you might need to invest in to get the best results.
You should have these questions ready to ask, but if they don’t seem to volunteer that information on their own, that can be a worrying sign that perhaps they don’t consider the patient’s perspective as much as they should.
Furthermore, they should be able to communicate in the layman’s language. If you are buried by medical jargon, feel free to ask for clarification, but it’s not a great sign for the surgeon.
Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon: Are they convenient?
Cosmetic surgery is a fairly big commitment, so people are willing to travel for it. However, depending on your schedule and needs, you might need to pick a clinic that is relatively close to you.
Furthermore, you should ensure they are open when you require them to be. For some treatments, you’ll need to take time off of work or any strenuous activity, so there may need to be some compromise on your end, as well.
However, a good plastic surgery team should do what they can to make their services more accessible and convenient to you.
Aside from all of the criteria above, your comfort matters. There is likely to be some trepidation at the prospect of getting a cosmetic procedure done, but if you’re feeling more comfortable with one surgeon than the other, then you should listen to that feeling.
