Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Choosing a plastic surgeon for cosmetic surgery is a serious task. The plastic surgeon you pick will be responsible for the outcome of your procedure, so you'll want to do some research before selecting your surgeon. Most people spend a good deal of time checking surgeon credentials, comparing surgeons and getting references on surgeons before finally choosing a plastic surgeon.

Finding a Plastic Surgeon

Finding a plastic surgeon is easy, but finding the plastic surgeon you want takes time. If a friend or co-worker has had cosmetic surgery, getting a recommendation from them can be helpful. If the person is pleased with his cosmetic surgery, it's a mark in favor of the plastic surgeon.
 
Family doctors, nurses and hospitals are also great sources for plastic surgeon recommendations. Ask for a list of board-certified plastic surgeons. Cosmetic surgery associations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons often provide directories of affiliated plastic surgeons as well.

Finding a Plastic Surgeon through Advertising

Finding a plastic surgeon sometimes involves searching the local Yellow Pages. However, be careful when choosing a plastic surgeon through the Yellow Pages: Doctors can claim to be specialists in any field in listings and advertisements but may actually lack the experience they claim to have.
 
Newspaper and television ads are also suspect. While it's quite possible that the plastic surgeon that placed the ad has great experience in cosmetic surgery, he may also be overstating his qualifications. Be sure to check credentials and qualifications of any plastic surgeon you are considering.

The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation

After your initial search, creating a short list of possible surgeons is the next step to choosing a plastic surgeon. Meet each surgeon on the list for an initial consultation. You will probably have to pay for at least some of these consultations, but you'll benefit by getting to know the surgeons and seeing what different surgeons offer.
 
During the consultation, ask every question you can think of regarding the plastic surgeon and the cosmetic procedure you're considering. Many people choose to write down questions in advance, as it's easy to forget which questions to ask during a consultation.

Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon

The most common and useful questions that potential patients can ask plastic surgeons include:
  • Can I have a list of patient references?
  • Do you have pictures of patients who underwent the cosmetic surgery I want?
  • Do you have hospital privileges? If so, at which hospitals?
  • Do you believe I am a good candidate for this cosmetic surgery procedure?
  • How long will it take me to recover from the cosmetic surgery?
  • How many cosmetic surgery procedures have you performed?
  • How much experience do you have with my desired cosmetic surgery procedure?
  • What are the risks associated with this cosmetic surgery procedure?
  • What costs are associated with this cosmetic surgery procedure?
  • What training and credentials do you have?
The plastic surgeon should be able to answer all of these questions and be able to provide references. The surgeon should also ensure that you have realistic expectations of the cosmetic surgery.
 
If the plastic surgeon does not think you are a good candidate for the cosmetic surgery, he should be willing to explain and justify his opinion.

Plastic Surgeon Warning Signs

While choosing a plastic surgeon, keep an ear open for possible danger signs. If the surgeon is evasive or dismissive when asked questions, you might want to consider a different plastic surgeon.
 
The plastic surgeon's manner and appearance should be professional, as should the appearance of the clinic or office. Other potential warning signs include:
  • an arrogant, "I know best" attitude
  • attempts to rush the consultation
  • no hospital privileges
  • no certification or experience with the cosmetic surgery you want
  • residency was in an unrelated field
  • unwilling to provide references.
Be especially wary of plastic surgeons who try to talk you into unwanted cosmetic surgery procedures or who suggest performing too many cosmetic surgeries in a single operation.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Choosing a plastic surgeon isn't just about gathering credentials and checking references, although these are certainly very important. How you relate to the plastic surgeon is also important.

You have to feel comfortable with the plastic surgeon you choose. Plastic surgery is a big decision and is a very serious matter. If you don't like a particular plastic surgeon or distrust a particular plastic surgeon, trust your instincts and find another surgeon.
 
Resources
 
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Five Essential Steps Before Plastic Surgery. Retrieved August 15, 2007, from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Web site: www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/planning_surgery
/Five-Essential-Steps-Before-Plastic-Surgery.cfm.
 
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon. Retrieved August 15, 2007, from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Web site: www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/find_member_surgeon
/How-to-Choose-a-Plastic-Surgeon.cfm.
 
Stone, A. How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon. Retrieved August 15, 2007, from the Dr. Aaron Stone Web site: www.aaronstonemd.com/HowtoChoosePlSurgeon2.shtm.