Cosmetic Surgeons
How to Pick Your Plastic Surgeon
If you are wondering if you should have a cosmetic surgery technique you should start by informing yourself as much as possible through resources including this site, as well as the products and books recommended on this site.
But, nothing can replace conferring with some surgeons and talking about your needs and concerns. Only a qualified surgeon can explain in detail how your life may be improved by some procedure. They can show you the benefits and risks, the recovery time and the costs.
You should attempt to get to be as educated and informed as possible before you actually agree to surgery. Surgeons found on this website are a great spot to begin finding the right surgeon for your needs.
The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation
When you first consult with a surgeon you may feel quite nervous. You may be about to make a choice that will effect you for the rest of your life. The surgeon and office staff will attempt to make you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
Often your first contact will be by filling in 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 a time for your appointment.
When you arrive you will be asked to fill out forms giving your medical history. Your answers help decide if you may be 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 be prepared with your questions, and be prepared to give candid answers to the surgeon's questions.
The surgeon can talk with you about your image enhancement goals and tell you what is probable. You should ask to examine before and after photos and hear a complete explanation of the technique. You should be able to discuss the price and financing options available.
What should you ask?
Here is a list of 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 after medical school? Was it in plastic surgery?
- How many surgeries 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 can also ask at the hospital about the surgeon's qualifications.
- If 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. It can mean a better quality of pre and post-operative care.
- Does the doctor's office have life-saving and monitoring devices?
- Who will administer anesthesia? Is the person a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist?
- What risks are associated with this surgery? About how often do they happen? How is the doctor prepared to handle complications?
- What is the normal 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 procedures so you need to be ready to schedule the required leave time.
At the end of your consultation you should feel educated and confident about the surgeon. Do not schedule an appointment until you have consulted with a number of surgeons and only after you feel absolutely sure 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 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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