In the US, cosmetic surgery is on the rise. In fact, a recent report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons shows that nearly 18 million people underwent plastic surgery in the past year.
If you’re thinking about joining one of the millions of people who get plastic surgery each year, then the first thing you need to do is find the right plastic surgeon.
But, with literally thousands of plastic surgeons in the US, how are you supposed to know which one to choose?
Check out this guide to discover how to find a good plastic surgeon.
1. Look for Board Certification in Plastic Surgery
First things first, you want to make sure you choose a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
This is the only plastic surgery board that’s recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. If they have this certification, it means they’ve undergone rigorous training in order to be board certified.
This is an especially important credential to look out for, as there are many doctors calling themselves plastic surgeons these days who are not board certified.
2. Check Their Experience in Your Procedure
It’s very important that the cosmetic surgeon you choose has plenty of experience.
And, we’re not just talking about experience in cosmetic surgery in general. You want to make sure the surgeon you choose has experience in the type of surgery you’re looking for. Operating on the nose, which is composed of cartilage, bone, and breathing passages is clearly quite different than operating on the breast, which is mainly composed of soft tissue.
Because of this, you want to make sure you have a surgeon who has experience in the procedure you’re considering. You should ask potential surgeons how they trained in the procedure you’re considering. You should also ask them how many years and how many times they’ve performed the procedure.
3. Check Out Their Aesthetic Sense
Perhaps just as important as experience is the aesthetic sense of the plastic surgeon.
We all know that what one person finds beautiful another finds unattractive. Because of this, you can’t solely rely on the recommendation of a friend or a cosmetic surgeon’s experience.
With every surgeon you interview, you need to look carefully at their results. To determine the aesthetic sense of a cosmetic surgeon, the biggest thing you’ll want to do is take a look at their before and after photos.
Pay close attention to patients who have similar features as you. It may even help to take a selfie for reference. For example, if you’re considering a facial procedure, you’ll want to look for a patient with a similar facial structure who is around the same age as you.
For a breast procedure, you’ll want to look for a patient with a similar breast and torso shape. Are your breasts small or large? Are they widely spaced apart or close together? Are they symmetrical or asymmetrical? These are all things you’ll want to look at if you’re considering breast surgery.
And finally, if you’re considering any type of bodily procedure, you’ll want to look for patients with a similar shape to you. For example, if you carry extra weight around your hips, look for someone with that feature.
4. Pay Attention to the Environment
Cosmetic surgery is a process, and you’ll likely make multiple visits to your cosmetic surgery clinic. Therefore, it’s very important that you fell 100 percent comfortable around your plastic surgeon as well as their support team.
Here are some things to ask yourself:
- Do I like spending time with this surgeon?
- Do I trust the surgeon’s recommendations?
- Would I feel comfortable asking any question I might have during the process?
- Do I feel comfortable disclosing my medical history to the surgeon?
- Is the front desk staff courteous and helpful?
- Do they provide materials that fully prepare me for the reality of the surgery?
- Are all the fees clearly stated?
- Do I receive a prompt reply when I contact the practice?
By asking yourself these questions, you’ll have a clearer idea if the environment is up to your standards.
5. Vet the Facility
As we mentioned earlier, you want to make sure the cosmetic surgeon you choose is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You also want to make sure the facility is accredited by a reputable organization. Here are some accreditations to look out for:
- State Licensure
- American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAASF)
- Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
- Title XVIII Medicare participation
- Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care
The facility you choose should have accreditation from at least one of these bodies.
6. Check Out Their Website
A surgeon’s website can speak volumes about their facility. You want to look for websites that have a professional appearance and that provide you with plenty of information, such as charlotteplasticsurgery.com.
An ideal website will tell you about the experience of the surgeon and the staff, show testimonials and before and after pictures, and provide you with contact information.
7. Ask Around
Of course, it also doesn’t hurt to ask around to find the right plastic surgeon. As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, plastic surgery is very common, so chances are, have a friend or family who has had work done.
If you can’t find anyone in your inner circle, check online for reviews. You can check out the clinic’s Google My Business page or check out doctor review sites.
How to Find a Good Plastic Surgeon: Are You Ready?
Now that you know how to find a good plastic surgeon, it’s time to begin your search. Before you know it, you’ll be working with the surgeon of your dreams.
If you liked this article, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more helpful posts like this one!