Cosmetic Surgery: Choosing the Right Doctor

Cosmetic surgery is extremely commonplace in the US. It’s a lucrative market, and many doctors claim to be plastic surgeons; but there’s a relatively smaller number that has actually undergone the extensive and specialized training needed to become fully trained and board-certified cosmetic surgeons.

An inadequately trained doctor can seriously jeopardize a cosmetic surgery procedure, sometimes causing its failure and leading to additional months of recovery, cost and mental anguish for the patient. Choosing the right doctors is therefore a key aspect of going in for a cosmetic surgery.

With plastic surgery being an extremely specialized field, it is not adequate for a physician to undergo a few months or even a year of training. A well-trained cosmetic surgeon should have spent at least four years in general surgery residency training, with additional training in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. It takes approximately six to eight years of formal training after medical school for a physician to be certified as a Plastic Surgeon.

Points to Help You

One of the best ways to determine whether you have the right surgeon or not, is to plan a consultation and have a long (perhaps interrogative) chat with him. Make sure that you have established a comfort level with the doctor by the time the consultation is over.

•Before scheduling a consultation with a doctor, visit the doctor’s website and request for information describing his practice.

•Request the doctor to send data relating to the procedures he has conducted.

•Inquire into the frequency with which the doctor performs the procedure.

•Ask to be shown some ‘before and after’ pictures – show them to a design professional if you must, to make sure the pictures haven’t been ‘doctored’!

•Ensure your surgeon is board-certified by at least one of these professional organizations: The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons or The American Academy of Dermatology.

Questions to ask your doctor during a consultation:

•What are the various choices in techniques and procedures open to you?

•What usually happens during the surgery? How long does the procedure last?

•Where will the incisions be made?

•How long will the scars take to heal?

•What is the type of anesthesia that will be used?

•How long will it take me to recover from the anesthesia?

•What are the side effects I could experience from the anesthesia?

•Will the procedure take place at your clinic or at a hospital?

•If the procedure is to take place at your office, is your surgery center affiliated to a hospital or licensed by the State?

•What can I expect as part of post-operative care?

•What are the risks involved with this procedure you plan to undertake?

•How will you handle complications after surgery should they occur?

•How common are these complications?

•What would be the recovery period after surgery?

Take the time to clarify all your doubts. Also remember a consultation is not a commitment to the procedure. Trust your instincts, if you feel the doctor is not adequately addressing your concerns don’t hesitate to get a second opinion.

You may need to find another surgeon if:

•The surgeon you are currently talking to does not routinely perform the procedure you are considering,

•Is not forthcoming with answers to your questions regarding the procedure,

•Downplays the risks of surgery and complications, and excessively adopts a sales pitch,

•Guarantees that the procedure will be successful,

•Will not or cannot show before-and-after pictures of other patients

Good cosmetic surgeons put a lot of emphasis on post-operative care, scheduling frequent check-ups to determine if their clients are healing well; offering suggestions about their diet and updating the client on their recovery. A good cosmetic surgeon will follow up until the patient has completely healed and the procedure has been deemed successful.

If you keep all of this in mind before committing to a cosmetic procedure, your changes of achieving the desired results are just that much better. Take care!

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