San Jose Cosmetic Surgeons

How to Pick Your Cosmetic Surgeon

If you are considering a cosmetic surgery procedure you should start by learning as much as you can through resources including this site, as well as the books and products listed on this web site.

But, nothing will take the place of actually meeting with several surgeons and discussing your desires and goals. Only an experienced surgeon can explain in detail how your life may be changed by some procedure. They can explain the benefits and limitations, the healing time and the costs.

You want to get to be as knowledgeable and informed as you can before you are ready to agree to a technique. Surgeons listing on this site are a great spot to begin finding the best surgeon for your needs.

The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation

When you first consult with a surgeon you might feel somewhat nervous. You are about to make a decision that may effect you in all areas of your life. The surgeon and office staff will try to make you feel as comfortable and relaxed as they can.

You may find your first contact will be filling in a web form on the doctor's web site. You will probably have a reply in a day or two. Usually a nurse or coordinator will call to ask some initial questions and arrange for your first appointment.

Upon arrival you will be asked to fill out forms giving your medical history. What you answer helps show if you are a good candidate for surgery. Expect to consult with the surgeon for one to two hours. Understand 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 talk with you about your body enhancement goals and tell you what is possible. You should ask to view before & after photos and get an in-depth explanation of the process. 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 surgeon.

1. Is the doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
2. What training did the surgeon undertake after medical school? Was it in plastic surgery?
3. How many procedures 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'll need to know in case there is an emergency. You can also enquire at the hospital for the surgeon's qualifications.
6. 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 level of pre and post-operative care.
7. Does the doctor's office have life-saving and monitoring devices?
8. Who will administer 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 does the doctor handle complications?
10. What is the average recovery for this kind of surgery?

Be sure to question the surgeon about the pre-operative, operative and post-operative routines associated with the procedure. Recovery times are usually no more than a few weeks for most cosmetic surgeries so you need to be prepared to schedule the required leave time.

By the end of your consultation you should leave feeling educated and confident with the surgeon. Don't schedule an appointment until you have talked to several surgeons and only after you feel absolutely secure that you have chosen the right doctor 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 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 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