Choosing Between Plastic Surgeons: Credentials and More

Choosing between plastic surgeons should not be a task taken lightly. Perhaps more than nearly any other medical procedure, there can be no understating the importance of getting the right guy for the job. Put simply, there is more to it than just making sure a doctor is properly educated and has all the right credentials. There is a difference between someone who is perfectly competent and someone who is actually talented. And when it comes to getting a nose job, breast implants, or any other cosmetic enhancement, you want someone with talent holding the scalpel. Here are some considerations you should think about when deciding. Credentials Though it is not the only issue, you certainly want to make sure any plastic surgeons you are considering are well qualified to perform the procedure you want. That does not just mean they offer it as a service, but that they have training, experience, and education in the procedure. Just as you probably wouldn't go to a family dentist for braces, you should not go to a doctor who works mostly with liposuction to get breast augmentation. That does not mean a doctor can't offer a host of procedures; most do just that. But make sure you're not among the first few patients he has ever done your procedure to. Professional Referrals It never hurts to find plastic surgeons through the professional referral process. If you have a regular doctor, you might consider broaching the topic with them. You never know what circles a doctor might travel in. Your family physician may have no idea who is good or who is not, but he may just have the inside track on who you would be best off with. The good thing about going this route is that you know your physician has your health and safety as his primary concern. He won't steer you towards a doctor who puts cosmetic results above health concerns. Pictures There is perhaps no greater way to judge a doctor's skill in the operating room than by evaluating the results for yourself. Ask to see some before and after pictures of his past patients. You should go into this knowing he's probably only going to show you the work he is most proud of. But this can work in your favor. After all, if you think the work he is proudest of looks shoddy, you certainly know not to sign up for work yourself. One caveat: plastic surgeons sometimes perform work to patient specifications. What this means is that just because you see a lot of "fake-looking" implants (for one example), it does not mean this is his default style. This could be just what his patients tend to prefer.