What To Look For In A Plastic Surgeon

Any kind of plastic surgery should keenly be done not only for improved results but also for your well-being. You should therefore do a proper search in identifying a good plastic surgeon. The following criteria will help you in doing your search:

Board Certification

A doctor with the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certification is an excellent indicator of the particular training the doctor has undergone either in surgical or medical specialty. The (ABPS) is the only body that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and its’ website can help you find out if a doctor is board-certified in plastic surgery. Board-certified plastic surgeons have to complete 3-5 years in general surgery and no less than 2-3 years training in plastic surgery. Oral and written tests for the doctors also have to be done. Additionally, board-certified plastic surgeons have to do a written test after every 10 years and take continuing medical education.

ASAPS Membership

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ASAPS membership will ensure that a doctor is experienced in cosmetic surgery and certified by the ABPS. ASAPS membership is by invitation and doctors in the society have good reputation for upholding highest standards in cosmetic plastic surgery. The ASAPS database will help you find out if a surgeon is a member. ASAPS members operate from accredited facilities.

Hospital Privileges

Before having plastic surgery in an outpatient clinic, ask your doctor where he or she has hospital privileges. If no operating privileges exist, look for another facility. Accredited hospitals for the same procedure being done have review committees that evaluate a doctor’s training and competency for particular procedures.

Facility Accreditation

Aesthetic plastic surgery can safely be done from an accredited hospital, office-based surgical facility or surgi-centre. Recent published data revels that accredited office-based surgical facilities have a safety record compared to ambulatory surgery settings.

Surgeon’s Experience and Record

Cosmetic plastic surgeons with experience perform a variety of aesthetic surgeries on a regular basis. You should ask your surgeon about his or her experience on the procedure you are about to undergo. If considering “new” procedures, enquire if their safety and effectiveness have been published in a well reviewed journal. From your state licensing board, you can find out a list of malpractice judgments or plastic surgeons with disciplinary actions against them from the board.

Good Communication

Good communication should always exist between you and your plastic surgeon. This will allow room to discuss goals, risks and benefits, agree on course of treatment and realistic expectations. Your doctor should also answer all of your questions without malice. If a good rapport does not exist between you and your doctor, better seek the service elsewhere.

Cost

You should not be lured by cheap costs for cosmetic surgery. Costs for aesthetic surgery usually differ and may depend on a number of factors which include surgeon’s experience, geographic location, technique, length, complexity and individual patient needs. Also remember that cosmetic surgery cost is not covered by insurance. Do an early plan for your plastic surgery financing before getting the procedure. An ASAP’s website can help you find the national average fees for different procedures.

Follow-up Care

A professional plastic surgeon should offer after-care services after operating on his or her patients. Additionally, the doctor should discuss with you about his or her policies regarding cases of revisional surgeries.

You should not overlook any of these guidelines whenever looking for a plastic surgeon to give you a particular cosmetic procedure. You may miss on an important aspect if you do a shallow search which might in the end expose you to botched cosmetic surgery results and health risks.