California Cosmetic Surgeons
How to Choose Your Plastic Surgeon
If you are wondering if you should have a cosmetic surgery technique you must start by educating yourself as much as you can using resources such as this site, as well as the books and products mentioned on this site.
But, nothing will take the place of actually meeting with several surgeons and talking about your desires and hopes. Only an experienced surgeon can tell you how your life might be enhanced by a cosmetic procedure. They can show you the benefits and limitations, the healing time and the price.
You should attempt to get yourself as educated and informed as you can before you actually agree to a technique. Surgeons listed on this website will be a good spot to start in finding the best surgeon for your needs.
The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation
When you first consult with a surgeon you may feel somewhat frightened. You may be about to make a decision that will effect you for the rest of your life. The surgeon and staff should try to make you as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
You may find your first contact will be filling out a web form on the doctor's web site. You should have a reply in a day or two. Frequently a nurse or coordinator will call to ask some initial questions and schedule your first appointment.
Upon arrival you will need to fill out forms giving your medical history. Your answers help show if you are a good candidate for surgery. Expect to meet with the surgeon for one to two hours. Remember that the surgeon's time is very full so be prepared with your questions, and be ready to give candid answers to the surgeon's questions.
The surgeon should discuss your body enhancement desires and tell you what is realistic. You should be able to see before and after photographs and get an in-depth explanation of the process. You should be able to discuss the price and payment possibilities.
What should you ask?
Here is a list of 10 typical questions to ask your potential surgeon.
- Is the surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- What training did the surgeon undergo since medical school? Was it in plastic surgery?
- How many procedures of this type does the doctor perform each year?
- How many years has the doctor been performing plastic surgery?
- What hospital is the doctor associated with? You will need to know should there be an emergency. You can also ask at the hospital about the surgeon's qualifications.
- Should you find the doctor operates in his/her office has it been accredited? Ask the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities or Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. It can mean a better standard of pre and post-operative care.
- Does the doctor's office have life-saving and monitoring devices?
- Who will administer the anesthesia? Is the person a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist?
- What risks are associated with this surgery? What percentage of the time do they occur? How does the doctor handle complications?
- What is the expected recovery for this kind of procedure?
Be sure to question the surgeon about the pre-operative, operative and post-operative routines required by the procedure. Recovery times are typically no more than a couple of weeks for most cosmetic procedures so you should be ready to schedule the necessary leave time.
By the end of the consultation you should leave feeling educated and confident with the surgeon. Do not schedule an appointment until you have talked to a number of surgeons and only when you feel absolutely secure that you have selected the best surgeon for your needs.
How to Verify a Surgeon's Qualifications
Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAHC)
Phone : 847/853.6060
Internet : www.aaahc.org/accreditation/search.shtml
Accredits surgical facilities in physician offices.
American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)
Phone : 888-545-5222
Internet : www.aaaasf.org/Facilities
Certifies ambulatory surgery facilities and provides practice guidelines for surgeons working in ambulatory surgical facilities.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)/ The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
All cosmetic surgeons should be ASPS members who are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. They should have graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of surgical residency, usually three years of general surgery and two years of plastic surgery.
Phone : 888-4PLASTIC
Internet : www.plasticsurgery.org/find_a_plastic_surgeon
Federation of State Medical Boards (FCVS)
FCVS verifies medical education, postgraduate training, licensure examination history, board action history, and identity.
Phone : 888-ASK-FCVS
Internet : www.fsmb.org
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