San Francisco Cosmetic Surgeons

How to Choose Your Cosmetic Surgeon

If you are considering a cosmetic surgery technique you should start by learning as much as you can using resources such as this site, and using the books and products mentioned on this web site.

But, nothing can replace actually meeting with several surgeons and discussing your desires and hopes. Only a qualified surgeon can tell you in detail how your life could be changed by a procedure. They can show you the benefits and limitations, the healing time and the costs.

You should attempt to get to be as educated and informed as you can before you actually agree to surgery. Surgeons listing on this site will be a great place to begin finding the right surgeon for you.

The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation

The first time you consult with a surgeon you may feel quite frightened. You could be about to make a choice that will effect you in all areas of your life. The surgeon and staff will try to make you feel 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. Usually a nurse or coordinator will call to ask some preliminary questions and arrange for your appointment.

When you arrive you will need to fill out forms listing your medical history. What you answer helps decide if you are a good candidate. Expect to meet with the surgeon for one to two hours. Remember that the surgeon's time is very valuable so have your questions ready, and be prepared to give honest answers to the surgeon's questions.

The surgeon should discuss your body enhancement wishes and tell you what is realistic. You should be able to examine before and after photos and get a complete explanation of the process. You should also be able to talk about the price and financing possibilities.

What should you ask?

Here are 10 typical questions to ask your potential cosmetic surgeon.

1. Is the doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
2. What training did the surgeon undergo since medical school? Was it in cosmetic surgery?
3. How many surgeries of this kind does the doctor perform each year?
4. How many years has the doctor been performing cosmetic surgery?
5. What hospital is the doctor associated with? You will need to know should there be an emergency. You may also enquire at the hospital for the surgeon's qualifications.
6. If 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.
7. Does the doctor's office have life-saving and monitoring devices?
8. Who administers the anesthesia? Is the person a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist?
9. What are the risks with this surgery? What percentage of the time do they occur? How is the doctor prepared to handle complications?
10. 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 usually no more than a few weeks for most of the cosmetic procedures so you need to be ready to schedule the required leave time.

By the end of the consultation you should feel educated and confident about the surgeon. Don't schedule an appointment until you have consulted with several surgeons and only after you feel absolutely secure that you have found the right doctor 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 also 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