How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon
Choosing to have plastic surgery is a very important and highly personal decision. Patients always should conduct a thorough background check on their physicians. Qualifications should be checked, and these criteria may be helpful to you in your search:
Check the physician's credentials. For example, is the physician board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)?
ASPS certification assures that the physician has graduated from an accredited medical school, has completed at least five years of additional training, has practiced plastic surgery for two years and passed comprehensive written and oral exams. The ASPS is a recognized board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). To check your physician's board certification by an ABMS board, visit the ABMS website and use the Verification Service.
After reviewing the physician's background, a potential patient should have a personal consultation with the plastic surgeon(s) being considered. Find a plastic surgeon you feel comfortable talking to, and fully discuss your questions, expectations and concerns. Your plastic surgeon can help you learn about the risks as well as the benefits of plastic surgery and can help you develop realistic expectations and results.
During your consultation, you may want to ask the following questions:
- How much experience do you have in this field?
- How many times have you performed the procedure and how recently?
- How long will my recovery be?
- Where will you perform my surgery?
If the procedure is going to be performed in an out-patient surgical facility, ask if is it an accredited facility? Even if the surgery is performed in the plastic surgeon's own surgical facility, the physician should be peer reviewed and have privileges to perform the procedure in an accredited hospital in the local community.
Ask to speak with former patients who have had the procedure.
In making your decision, make sure the doctor answers all of your questions to your satisfaction. You should be well-informed about the anticipated outcome of your surgery and both you and the doctor should concur about your expectations for this surgery. You should discuss the alternatives and make sure you thoroughly understand the risks. If you still have unanswered questions or are not sure the procedure is right for you, we suggest that you obtain more than one opinion and consult with other board certified plastic surgeons.
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