Beauty Doc Blog

September 22.2008

When  considering plastic surgery it is important to realize the importance of your decision, and to take your time and choose wisely. A few steps can ensure you are an informed plastic surgical patient that is happy with the final outcome of your surgery.

The first step is a self check.

What are your reasons for choosing plastic surgery? Do you have reasonable expectations of the outcome? The word plastic comes  from the Greek word “plastikos,” which means  to mold or give form. Plastic surgery does that; it gives new form to the human body, either through cosmetic or reconstructive procedures. When choosing a doctor it is important to find a well-trained, qualified and experienced plastic surgeon.  Your goal is to develop a list of candidates.

Step Two is To Search Wisely

Start with your friends and acquaintances. If you know someone who’s had a procedure similar to the one you’re considering, talk to this person about it. Don’t decide on a surgeon based on one friend’s experience, but feel free to use that experience and possible recommendation as one factor in making your decision.  Every patient is unique, and so is every surgery and your results might be quite different from your friend’s results.

Talk to your family doctor. He or she  may be able to recommend a plastic surgeon. Ask your doctor how many patients he or she has referred to a particular  surgeon, and what feedback was  offered later, and ask whether the doctor would send a family member to this surgeon. Also consider nurses as an information source. If you know an operating room nurse-or if someone you know knows one, then you may be able to get a well-informed opinion on surgeons that he or she has worked with.

Also consider hospitals. Call hospitals in your community and ask for the names of board-certified plastic surgeons they have on staff. Also be sure to ask for the names of doctors who have privileges, which means official approval, to do the particular procedure you’re considering.

Step Three is Check Credentials and References

When you have a list prepared, do some further checking. Start checking their credentials. Remember that  good credentials can’t guarantee  a successful outcome, but they can significantly increase the odds in your favor. Check with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and remember to do a web search. You’ll often find message boards where people share information on their experiences.

Finding a good plastic surgeon to perform cosmetic procedures requires a little diligence and a lot of common sense. And, since it is your body and your appearance, it is definitely worth your time to do it right!