You should approach any kind of surgery carefully, but with plastic surgery you need to make extra sure that you trust your surgeon and medical team. Choosing the wrong plastic surgeon for you can leave you with a lot of medical bills for results that you are not happy with. Making sure that you will connect well with a potential surgeon requires a little bit of extra work, but it will pay huge dividends for you in the long run.
Check with your State Medical Board
The first thing you need to make sure of is that the surgeon is board certified. Each state has its own guidelines and surgical requirements, so it is important to make sure that the surgeon is certified in the state where you will have the procedure performed. A surgeon without proper licensing is one you should avoid, even if there seems to be a good reason for that. Every state has a licensing board website where you can find out a surgeon’s license status as well as any black marks on the individual’s record, such as malpractice suits or accusations. Finding out this information is the first step to making an educated and informed decision.
Talk to your Surgeon
You should never go into a procedure of any sort without having first talked to the plastic surgeon. This meeting should take place before you make any sort of appointment or prepare for a procedure. Some items that you should ask your potential surgeon in your first meeting is whether or not the doctor has hospital privileges and whether what you want can be done in a single surgical procedure. A doctor without hospital privileges is another warning sign, as that means the individual doesn’t get as much exposure to peers, colleagues, and professional practice methods. If the doctor suggests many procedures, you should be wary. This might indicate more of an interest in money than your well being.
Ask Lots of Questions
As you get more comfortable with your potential surgeon, you should make sure to ask lots of questions about the procedure. Putting your mind at ease is one of the most important things a surgeon can do. A patient who is comfortable during surgery tends to see fewer complications after surgery. Don’t be afraid to ask questions that may seem ridiculous or obvious. The surgeon is expecting you to want to know about the procedure, and it is up to your doctor to make sure you are as informed as possible. An inquisitive patient is a good sign to the surgeon that you are taking matters seriously, and this will lead to a better overall rapport between you and your doctor.
When you start to look for a plastic surgeon, information is your most powerful asset. As long as you do a little bit of research and make sure that you come armed with plenty of questions for your potential surgeon, you should be well on your way to finding a doctor who will treat you with the respect you deserve.
