How to Find a Plastic Surgeon

When it comes time to select a plastic surgeon it can be hard to know who to pick. Do you go with the first and only doctor you talk to or do you shop around and talk to at least three doctors the way you do contractors before you hire one?

Start your search by asking for referrals for a plastic surgeon from anyone you may know that has undergone a cosmetic procedure or simply start by looking for a skilled plastic surgeon who is a certified member of the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. A membership in this organization means your doctor has at least five years of experience as a surgeon and at least two years of plastic surgery experience.

Once you have a list of doctors you have a place to start the process of elimination and finding a doctor that will be a good fit for you by getting information about their practice and skill level. You can find out some of this information on line since many doctors will post profiles about their education and training on their practice website. Most doctors also have before and after photos posted of their surgical handy work so you can get an idea if you like their surgical outcomes or not.

Before you even begin to interview doctors though learn as much as possible about your selected procedure. The more you know about the risk factors, the surgical techniques and options and recovery, the more intelligent your questions will be and the more hard hitting questions you can ask.

Don't go into any surgery without knowing everything possible about what you are going to experience including the good, the bad and the ugly and don't go into surgery without knowing what to expect from your surgeon.
As you begin your research write down questions or concerns to broach with your doctor during your consultation and keep in mind the purpose of a consultation is twofold. First you are trying to learn about the procedure and address your concerns and ensure it is a good option for you and secondly you are trying to make sure the doctor is the right doctor for you.

Your consultation will also include your doctor going over your health history to look for any red flags that could indicate problems with your surgery such as having diabetes or lung or heart problems. These conditions will rule you out for liposuction so it's important to come prepared not only with a list of questions but also your medical history or records from your primary physician.

If you smoke, drink, take any medications or have any allergies these are facts your doctor needs to know about to help evaluate your fitness and to ensure you won't experience any unforeseen medical complications during or after surgery.

You will see your plastic surgeon before, during and after your procedure so make sure you pick someone you are comfortable with and someone who will listen to your concerns and address them.