How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon for your Needs

As cosmetic surgical procedures become more popular and common across the nation and around the world, many people are wondering how to choose the right plastic surgeon for the job. While the risks of dangerous side effects are minimized due to advances in techniques and technology, every operation is invasive and there are never any guarantees. There are a number of things that you should keep in mind when researching doctors that perform cosmetic surgical procedures.

One of the first questions you want to ask about the plastic surgeon is what types of procedures they are certified to perform and where they are legally able to perform them. There are no state or federal regulations that limit a doctor to only performing within their specialty. As such, you may have gynecologists offering to perform invasive breast surgery or other doctors offering procedures that they have not formally studied or trained in. As such, it is important to ensure your doctor is board-certified to perform the surgery that you desire. This means they have passed examinations at a national level that certify them in a specific area of medicine. You also want to find out where the doctor is able to perform procedures. Are they limited to their clinic or private surgical suite? What happens if complications arise and you are transferred to a local hospital? Can your doctor follow you there? 

Other than performing the procedure, your plastic surgeon should also be competent to evaluate your health pre-operatively and follow the risk of side effects post-operatively. Your medical history and current state of health is a very important part of the surgery and should not be neglected. Most of all, your doctor should be able to evaluate your current health situation and recommend the best procedure for the results you desire.

The risks of choosing the wrong plastic surgeon can vary widely. You may simply be risking a few minor post-operative side effects such as poor wound healing or minor infection. Or you may be risking dramatically disappointing results such as asymmetry and system-wide infection. Serious complications or poor outcome can cost more and require further surgical revisions. Doctors that offer procedures at markedly reduced prices often do not have the experience to back up their claims. It is important not to cut corners when budgeting for your plastic surgery. Saving a dollar in the short term may end up costing you more financially and physically in the long run. 

In short, take care when choosing your plastic surgeon. There are a number of factors that can be affected by choosing the wrong doctor for the job.