Plastic Surgery Considerations

Plastic surgery is a branch of surgery dedicated to correcting defects, whether from birth defects, accidents, fires or other trauma, in people’s bodies or faces. Plastic surgery is also elected when people desire to change part of their appearance, but don’t necessarily have a defect. In this case, plastic surgery is often referred to as cosmetic surgery.
 
Making the decision to get plastic surgery requires research, a lot of thought and taking important factors into consideration. People should know the costs of plastic surgery and the procedure they are considering, and they should choose a cosmetic surgeon or plastic surgeon carefully.
 
When choosing a plastic or cosmetic surgeon, first make sure the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Recommendations are also a great way to find a surgeon: Friends, doctors and hospitals can recommend good surgeons.
 
Another way to find a good plastic or cosmetic surgeon is to go through the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All of the organizations members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and in addition, the society’s members:
  • continually work to fulfill medical education requirements, including updated standards and innovations
  • follow a stringent ethical code
  • work only in medical facilities with appropriate accreditation.
Once you have narrowed the field, make sure you check your potential surgeon’s credentials. This can be done through hospitals, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or your state’s medical board. Consulting with a few plastic surgeons may also help.
 
Costs of plastic surgery should also be considered before undertaking any procedure. In 2006, Americans spent over $11 billion on plastic surgery procedures. These procedures can cost a few hundred dollars, or can go up to several thousand dollars, depending on the type of procedure.
 
Also, when considering plastic surgery, take into account the recovery time involved and the side effects of the procedure. Depending on a particular procedure’s severity and intrusiveness, recovery time can take a few days or a few months. Time off from work should also be calculated into the cost of the procedure.
 
This section covers all aspects of what to consider before undergoing plastic surgery, with special focus on choosing a plastic or cosmetic surgeon and the costs of plastic surgery.

Costs of Plastic Surgery

Depending on the type of plastic surgery procedure, costs will vary. Minimally invasive procedures are generally less expensive, and average a few hundred dollars, while the most popular procedures average a few thousand dollars.
 
The amount of money spend on plastic surgery every year is on the rise, as is the number of plastic surgery procedures done every year, despite the costs of plastic surgery.

Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon

Choosing a cosmetic surgeon can be a challenge. Certification, experience, personality and many more factors should be taken into account.
 
Recommendations from friends, family and medical professionals are a great place to start, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has many great resources for people who are choosing a cosmetic surgeon.
 
Resources
 
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2007). How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon. Retrieved August 14, 2007, from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Web site: http://www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/find_member
_surgeon/How-to-Choose-a-Plastic-Surgeon.cfm.
 
Dr. Aaron Stone (2007). How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon. Retrieved August 14, 2007, from the Dr. Aaron Stone Web site: http://www.aaronstonemd.com/HowtoChoosePlSurgeon2.shtm.