Cosmetic Surgeons
How to Pick Your Plastic Surgeon
If you are wondering if you should have a cosmetic surgery procedure you should begin by learning as much as possible through resources such as this site, as well as the products and books listed on this site.
However, nothing will take the place of conferring with some surgeons and talking about your needs and wishes. Only a qualified surgeon can explain how your life could be improved by some procedure. They can explain the benefits and risks, the recovery time and the costs.
You want to get to be as knowledgeable and informed as you can before you actually agree to a procedure. Surgeons listed on this website will be a good place to begin finding the right surgeon for your needs.
The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation
The first time you consult with a surgeon you may feel somewhat nervous. You could be about to make a decision that could effect you in all areas of your life. The surgeon and staff will attempt to make you feel as comfortable and relaxed as they can.
Often your first contact will be filling in a web form on the doctor's web site. You will probably have a reply in a few days. Frequently a nurse or coordinator will contact you to ask some preliminary questions and arrange for your first appointment.
When you arrive you will need to fill out forms giving your medical history. What you answer helps decide if you may be a good candidate. Expect to consult with the surgeon for one to two hours. Remember that the surgeon's time is very full so have your questions ready, and be prepared to give candid answers to the surgeon's questions.
The surgeon should talk with you about your body enhancement desires and tell you what is probable. You should ask to see before and after photos and hear an in-depth explanation of the technique. You should be able to discuss the costs and payment options available.
What should you ask?
Here is a list of ten important questions to ask your potential cosmetic surgeon.
- Is the doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- What training did the surgeon undergo since medical school? Was it in plastic surgery?
- How many procedures of this kind does the doctor perform each year?
- How long has the doctor been performing cosmetic 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 for the surgeon's qualifications.
- Should you find the doctor operates in his/her office is it 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 standard of pre and post-operative care.
- Does the doctor's office have life-saving and monitoring devices?
- Who will administer the anesthesia? Is the person a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist?
- What are the risks with this procedure? About how often do they happen? How is the doctor prepared to handle complications?
- What is the average recovery time for this procedure?
Be sure to question the surgeon about the pre-operative, operative and post-operative routines required by the procedure. Recovery times are typically no more than a couple of weeks for most cosmetic surgeries so you need to be ready to schedule the required leave time.
By the end of your consultation you should leave feeling educated and confident with the surgeon. Do not schedule your appointment until you have consulted with a number of surgeons and only when you feel absolutely secure that you have found the best 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
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