Plastic Surgeon – Evaluating One

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, the first step is finding the best possible plastic surgeon to do the job. Evaluating these doctors is not always simple, and you need to take the time to do so well because your appearance and, potentially, your life are in the doctor's hands. Here are some considerations to make.

First, consider whether or not the surgeon is board certified. While board certification is not required to practice cosmetic surgery, nor does it necessarily mean a doctor is the best one, it is a good indication of his or her skill. Be sure to ask about the certification specialty. Doctors can advertise that they are "board certified" when they are certified in another field. Look for one, if possible, who carries certification in plastic surgery specifically. You can easily check this with the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Many surgeons will maintain membership with the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or some other similar field. Find out if your doctor maintains membership in a group like this. If he does, then chances are he cares enough about his profession to do a good job for you. Most of these societies require a few years of experience in the field, and some, like the ASAPS, will actually check into the quality of each doctors' work before accepting them.

Licensure is another factor to consider when choosing a plastic surgeon. Sometimes doctors practice without the proper license in their state. Find out about your state's medical licensing board, and check to make sure your doctor has the proper licensure.

You may be tempted to shop for a doctor based on the price. Remember, the more experienced a doctor is, the more he can charge for his services. Also, the more demand a doctor has, the higher his price will be. An experienced, in-demand doctor will likely give you the best possible results. While price may need to be a factor simply due to your budget, do not make your decision based on this factor alone. If you do, you will put yourself at risk for being highly disappointed with your results. 

While there are standards for beauty that seem to be universal, much of it is very subjective. For this reason, it is always best to see before and after pictures of work the plastic surgeon has done for the procedure you want to have. These pictures will help you get a feel for the doctor's style and idea of what is beautiful. You should look for one whose ideals match yours.

Finally, look for a clinic that will give you a consultation directly with the plastic surgeon, not an associate or assistant. You want to talk directly with the doctor who will be performing your procedure. This is the only way for you to truly evaluate whether or not you are a good fit for one another, so it is a vital part of your decision making process.