Denver Cosmetic Surgeons
How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon
If you are thinking that you would like to have a cosmetic surgery technique you must start by informing yourself as much as possible using resources including this site, as well as the books and products mentioned on this web site.
However, nothing will take the place of conferring with several surgeons and discussing your needs and concerns. Only a qualified surgeon can explain how your life could be enhanced by a cosmetic procedure. They can explain the benefits and limitations, the recovery time and the costs.
You want to get yourself as knowledgeable and informed as possible before you actually agree to a technique. Surgeons listing on this site are a good spot to begin finding the right surgeon for you.
The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation
When you first consult with a surgeon you might feel a bit frightened. You may be about to make decisions that could effect you for the rest of your life. The surgeon and staff will try to make you as comfortable and relaxed as they can.
Often your first contact will be by filling out a web form on the doctor's web site. You may have a reply in a day or two. Frequently a nurse or coordinator will contact you to ask some initial questions and arrange for your appointment.
When you arrive you will be asked to fill out forms explaining your medical history. Your answers help show if you are a good candidate. Expect to consult 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 wishes and explain to you what is realistic. You should be able to examine before and after photographs and get an in-depth explanation of the process. You should also be able to discuss the price and payment options available.
What should you ask?
Here are 10 important questions to ask your potential cosmetic surgeon.
- Is the doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- What schooling did the surgeon undergo after medical school? Was it in plastic surgery?
- How many surgeries of this kind does the doctor perform each year?
- How long has the doctor been performing plastic surgery?
- What hospital does the doctor work with? You'll need to know in case there is an emergency. You can also enquire at the hospital about the surgeon's qualifications.
- Should you find the doctor operates in his/her office has it been accredited? Check with the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities or Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. This may indicate 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 this person a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist?
- What are the risks with this procedure? About how often do they occur? How does the doctor handle complications?
- What is the expected recovery for this kind of surgery?
You want to ask about the pre-operative, operative and post-operative routines required by the procedure. Recovery times are normally no more than a couple of weeks for most cosmetic procedures so you should be ready to schedule the necessary time off from work.
At the end of your consultation you should leave feeling educated and confident about the surgeon. Do not schedule your appointment until you have talked to several surgeons and only after you feel absolutely secure that you have found the right surgeon for your needs.
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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