Choosing A Plastic Surgeon: 4 Vital Considerations

If you want to buy a microwave, all you need to do is go to your local big box store and pick one out that looks like it will fit into your kitchen decor (not to mention your counter space). It couldn't be easier. Unfortunately, many patients use a method not entirely dissimilar when choosing their plastic surgeon. They see a billboard out by the highway or an advertisement on television; call a number, and presto they've found the right doctor. You can do better. With minimal research, you can feel good about the physician you choose for your procedure. Here are 4 vital considerations.

Education and Experience:
Did you know that anyone with an M.D. behind their name can open up a clinic and call themselves a plastic surgeon? It's true. There are no laws in America putting greater expectations on the field. This means you could conceivably have your nose job done by a podiatrist. Sound unlikely? It is. But the point remains; don't just assume that the doctor in your area has the requisite experience and education to perform what is likely a very delicate operation. You have the right to know their background.

Previous Work:
If you were searching for a heart surgeon, you probably wouldn't need to see pictures of previous operations to help you make your decision. That's not to say that a plastic surgeon is doing riskier work than a heart surgeon, but there are some very stark differences. It's one thing to have the skills to perform a nose job safely and accurately. It's another thing to produce results that look good to the human eye. Furthermore, what looks good to one set of eyes may not look good to another. Make sure you get a look at your doctor's previous work before you choose him for your procedure.

Communication:
You need to be able to talk openly with your plastic surgeon. Nine times out of ten, getting a procedure in this field is about improving something from a cosmetic standpoint. But what you want to improve may be better handled by a surgery different from what you were expecting. If you can talk to your doctor about your expectations, he will guide you in the right direction.

Health Before Beauty:
A plastic surgeon is still a doctor and they have taken the same Hippocratic Oath as any other. This means they should always put a patient's health before anything else. If you ever get the feeling that a doctor isn't being frank with you about the risks involved in a procedure, find someone who values you as a person and not just a paycheck.