Los Angeles Cosmetic Surgeons
How to Pick a Plastic Surgeon
If you are wondering if you should have a cosmetic surgery procedure you must start by educating yourself as much as you can through resources including this site, and using the products and books mentioned on this site.
However, nothing can replace conferring with some surgeons and discussing your desires and concerns. Only an experienced surgeon can explain in detail how your life could be improved by some procedure. They can show you the benefits and risks, the recovery time and the price.
You want to get to be as educated and informed as you can before you actually agree to surgery. Surgeons listing on this website are a good place to start in finding the right surgeon for your needs.
The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation
When you first meet with a surgeon you might feel somewhat nervous. You are about to make decisions that could effect you for the rest of your life. The surgeon and office staff will try to make you feel as comfortable and relaxed as they can.
Often 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. Usually a nurse or coordinator will call to ask some initial questions and schedule your first appointment.
Upon arrival you will be asked to fill out forms listing your medical history. What you answer helps determine if you are a good candidate for surgery. Expect to consult with the surgeon for one to two hours. Remember that the surgeon's time is very valuable so be prepared with your questions, and be prepared to give honest answers to the surgeon's questions.
The surgeon can talk with you about your body enhancement goals and explain to you what is realistic. You should ask to view before & after photographs and hear an in-depth explanation of the process. You should also be able to discuss the costs and payment options available.
What should you ask?
Here are 10 important questions to ask your potential surgeon.
- Is the doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- What schooling did the surgeon undergo after medical school? Was it in cosmetic surgery?
- How many procedures of this type does the doctor perform each year?
- How many years has the doctor been performing cosmetic surgery?
- What hospital is the doctor associated with? You will need to know in case there is an emergency. You may also enquire at the hospital about 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. This may indicate a better level of pre and post-operative care.
- Does the doctor's office have life-saving and monitoring devices?
- Who administers anesthesia? Is this person a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist?
- What are the risks with this surgery? What percentage of the time do they happen? How does the doctor handle complications?
- What is the normal recovery time for this kind of procedure?
You want to ask about the pre-operative, operative and post-operative routines associated with the procedure. Recovery times are normally no more than a couple of weeks for most cosmetic surgeries so you should be prepared to schedule the required leave time.
At the end of the consultation you should feel educated and confident about the surgeon. Don't schedule an appointment until you have consulted with a number of surgeons and only after you feel completely sure that you have selected the right doctor 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 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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