San Diego Cosmetic Surgeons
How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon
If you are wondering if you should have a cosmetic surgery technique you must start by educating yourself as much as possible through resources such as this site, and using the products and books recommended on this site.
But, nothing can replace actually meeting with several surgeons and sharing your needs and wishes. Only an experienced surgeon can tell you how your life could be changed by some cosmetic procedure. They can explain the benefits and risks, the recovery time and the price.
You should attempt to get to be as educated and informed as possible before you finally agree to surgery. Surgeons found on this site are a good spot to start in finding the right surgeon for you.
The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation
When you first consult with a surgeon you may feel quite frightened. You may be about to make a choice that could effect you for the rest of your life. The surgeon and office staff will try to make you as comfortable and relaxed as they can.
Often your first contact will be by filling in 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 preliminary questions and arrange for your first appointment.
When you arrive you will be asked to fill out forms listing your medical history. What you answer helps determine if you are a good candidate. Expect to consult with the surgeon for one to two hours. Understand that the surgeon's time is very full so be prepared with your questions, and be ready to give honest answers to the surgeon's questions.
The surgeon should talk with you about your body enhancement wishes and explain to you what is possible. You should be able to view before and after photos and hear a complete explanation of the technique. You should also be able to talk about the price and payment possibilities.
What should you ask?
Here are ten typical questions to ask your potential surgeon.
- Is the doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- What schooling did the surgeon undertake since 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 plastic surgery?
- What hospital does the doctor work with? You'll need to know should there be an emergency. You can also enquire at the hospital about the surgeon's qualifications.
- Should you find the doctor operates in his/her office is it accredited? Ask 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 surgery? About how often do they happen? How does the doctor handle complications?
- What is the expected recovery time for this kind of procedure?
You want to ask about the pre-operative, operative and post-operative routines required by the procedure. Recovery times are typically no more than a few weeks for most cosmetic procedures so you need to be prepared to schedule the required vacation time.
By the end of your consultation you should feel educated and confident with the surgeon. Do not schedule an appointment until you have consulted with a number of surgeons and only when you feel completely secure that you have found the best surgeon for you.
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 also 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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