Choosing the Right Surgeon for Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is on the rise and so are its opportunists. Dentists and dermatologists are performing plastic surgery. How should you go about choosing a plastic surgeon? Below is some general advice for picking the right plastic surgeon. Remember to do your research before you pick someone to operate on you.

Get a List of Names

The first place to start is get a list of potential surgeons from friends, from your physician, from your local hospital, from your insurance company, and from The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Check Credentials

After getting those names, you should look into what type of medical training the surgeon has received. You should also see if the surgeon is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or by The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). You can also look up peer recommendations and patient reviews online.

Check Experience

A surgeon's experience is of the utmost importance to consider. Check the plastic surgeon's history of malpractice suits and disciplinary actions with your state medical board and be sure to check their credentials if they list years of experience in the specific surgery. Does the doctor have hospital privileges? If so, what are they?     

Consider Cost

Cost will also play a major role in considering the right plastic surgeon. Factors that figure into cost include complexity of the surgery, the surgeon's skill level, the surgeon's experience, and the location of the practice. (The Northeast and the West coast have higher surgery costs.) You may also want to figure in travel costs if the surgeon is not local. Hospital procedures cost more than office-based surgeries, but be sure that the office is accredited by the AAASF.

The Consultation

After you've chosen names and done your homework, the consultation with the surgeon becomes the deciding factor. The surgeon should address your concerns and questions in language that you can understand, fully explaining the benefits of the surgical procedure. The doctor should understand your motivations and expectations. Here are some other important considerations for the consultation:

• Does the doctor have before and after photos?
• Will the surgeon give you permission to speak with other patients?
• Do you feel confident in the doctor's abilities and training?
• Are you comfortable with him personally?