Plastic surgery is one of the fastest growing medical fields, which means that more and more doctors are cashing in on this trend. Even so, not all physicians are qualified to perform plastic surgery, which means you should go the extra mile to ensure your doctor is qualified.
Board Certification
After their residency, some doctors will even go on to become board certified, which involves passing a rigorous exam to verify their knowledge. To ensure the best results possible from your procedure, look for a physician who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You may even check to see whether or not a physician’s certification is current by checking this agency’s website. In addition to being board certified, your doctor should also be a member of an organization such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Check the Doctor’s Background
Many times, doctors who specialize in other areas of medicine will begin “branching out” into the field of plastic surgery after receiving disciplinary action. This is because such action may cause insurance carriers to drop the physician from their network, in which case that person’s income may suddenly drop. The best way to see if this is the case is to check with the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), which contains a database you can search through for a nominal fee.
Research the Quality of Past Work
Ask the doctor to show you photographs of past work so you can get an idea as to what kind of results you could expect. Photographs alone may not tell the whole story, so you should speak with others who have had similar work performed by that surgeon in the past. Ask for the names of some references so you may speak with them directly. If the doctor is hesitant to provide you with references, you should proceed with caution.
Ask Questions
You should come to your appointment with a list of questions you have about any procedures you are considering. Pay special attention to how your doctor reacts when you ask these questions. If the physician avoids answering questions, it could be because he or she is really not all that familiar with the procedure. You should also be leery of any surgeon who pressures you into certain treatments, because this may indicate a desire to profit rather than look after your wellbeing.
Choosing the wrong cosmetic surgeon can produce disastrous results that may lead to severe health problems or the need for additional procedures. Finding one with the right skills takes time, but is well worth the effort in the long run.
