Colorado Cosmetic Surgeons
How to Choose a Cosmetic Surgeon
If you are wondering if you should have a cosmetic surgery procedure you must begin by learning as much as possible using resources including this site, as well as the products and books recommended on this web site.
However, nothing will take the place of actually meeting with some surgeons and discussing your desires and hopes. Only a qualified surgeon can tell you in detail how your life might be improved by a procedure. They can show you the benefits and risks, the recovery time and the price.
You want to get yourself as educated and informed as you can before you finally agree to a technique. Surgeons found on this website will be a good place to start in finding the best surgeon for you.
The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation
When you first meet with a surgeon you might feel a bit nervous. You may be about to make decisions that may effect you in all areas of your life. The surgeon and office staff should attempt to make you as comfortable and relaxed as they can.
You may find your first contact will be filling out a web form on the doctor's web site. You will probably have a reply in a few days. Usually a nurse or coordinator will call to ask some preliminary questions and arrange for a time for your appointment.
When you arrive you will be asked to fill out forms listing your medical history. Your answers help determine if you are a good candidate. Expect to meet with the surgeon for one to two hours. Understand that the surgeon's time is very valuable so be prepared with your questions, and be ready to give honest answers to the surgeon's questions.
The surgeon can discuss your body enhancement desires and explain to you what is realistic. You should be able to examine before and after photos and get an in-depth explanation of the technique. You should also be able to talk about the costs and payment options available.
What should you ask?
Here are ten typical questions to ask your potential cosmetic surgeon.
- Is the surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- What schooling did the surgeon undertake after medical school? Was it in plastic surgery?
- How many procedures of this type does the doctor perform each year?
- How long has the doctor been performing plastic surgery?
- What hospital does the doctor work with? You will need to know in case there is an emergency. You may also ask at the hospital for the surgeon's qualifications.
- If 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 procedure? What percentage of the time do they happen? How does the doctor handle complications?
- What is the average recovery time for this procedure?
Be sure to question the surgeon about the pre-operative, operative and post-operative routines associated with the procedure. Recovery times are typically no more than a couple of weeks for most of the cosmetic procedures so you should be ready to schedule the required leave time.
By the end of the consultation you should feel educated and confident with the surgeon. Don't schedule an appointment until you have talked to a number of surgeons and only after you feel completely secure that you have chosen the best doctor for you.
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 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 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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