Plastic Surgeons and the Tools You Can Use to Pick Them

Not all plastic surgeons are created equally, as you may well know. When you're entrusting not only your appearance, but your health, in the hands of a doctor, you should make sure you get one worthy of that trust. When it comes to a general physician, you can expect a certain minimal level of competency. Sure, there will be the occasional "how did this guy complete medical school" incident, but most people will never be unfortunate enough to run into it.

Cosmetic surgery, however, is a different beast. The doctor must not only be skilled, but also have an impeccable aesthetic eye. When you find one who combines these attributes with several other factors, both tangible and intangible, you know you've found your doc. Here are some tools you can use in your search.

Specialized Experience

It's not enough, when looking through the bona fides of plastic surgeons, to have graduated from a top medical school. It may come as a surprise to learn that American doctors can perform virtually any surgery they take a mind to. If they want to put out a shingle and advertise for rhinoplasty, no law says they can't. This should give you pause. You need to make sure the doctor you're considering has specialized experience and training in the procedure you're having. Let a doctor get his experience somewhere else. You want someone who knows what they're doing.

Complications and Risks

It is only natural for plastic surgeons to play down the potential complications and risks a patient may face when going under the knife. In fact, just giving a mixture of statistics and personal experience will seem like "downplaying" all on its own, since it is rare for anything to go wrong. Having said that, it is your right as a patient to know the truth. If the doctor you're considering won't admit that there is any potential for risk, then you need to find someone else. Downplaying is one thing, but you need some honest information if you're to make a decision.

Pictures

If a doctor is unwilling or unable to show you at least a few pictures of his work, you might as well end the interview right there. You wouldn't hire anyone in any other line of work without being able to see some examples of their previous work. Why on earth would someone working on your body get a free pass? They shouldn't, so don't let them. Good plastic surgeons should be all too willing to show off their accomplishments. It is important that you view them. Different doctors will have different aesthetic viewpoints. Make sure the doctor you choose has a similar eye for appearance as you.