How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon for your Plastic Surgery or Cosmetic Surgery?

Guidance information to assist women in selecting the right plastic surgeon to perform a particular procedure.
Part I

Introduction

Contents 1   Introduction 2   Getting started 3   Research your Plastic Surgeon 4   Board Certified Plastic Surgeons 5   Training of Plastic Surgeons 6   Assessing the Plastic Surgeon 7   Learning about your Plastic Surgery 8   Anesthesia 9   Informed Consent

Need help to choose a plastic surgeon? The demand for plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures is quickly growing. A huge industry of professionals has also grown to meet this greater than before demand. The practice can be very profitable as many of the procedures are paid for in cash rather than through insurance. Because most of these procedures are not covered by insurance, patients are on their own in finding the right surgeon to perform the desired procedure. When trying to come to a decision which physician should perform the procedure, patients are motivated by price, convenience of location and how quickly the procedure can be scheduled. While these are reasonable and significant concerns, they should not take priority over the importance of choosing the right doctor.

In many states, any licensed allopathic doctor may perform any plastic surgery or cosmetic procedure that he or she is proficient to perform. The regulations do not ban physicians from performing procedures that were not part of their formal education. There are very good explanations for this, but it does require patients to cautiously investigate how a particular physician received training in a particular procedure. The US Medical Boards require all physicians to have the knowledge and proficiency to perform procedures within the community standard of care, whether the physician learned the procedure as part of the official training or through informal education. This leaves the patient with many alternatives in choosing a doctor to perform a procedure. Making the right choice can be tough.

Getting started.

Most people begin their search for the right physician by asking friends, colleagues and family for ideas. This may be a great way to identify potential surgeons and get an actual account from a trusted source. Nevertheless, the physician that was great for a friend or family member may not be the right medical doctor for you. Each patient is unique. Dissimilarities in age, sex, build, and body weight can make a difference in choosing a plastic surgeon. Additionally, patients may ask their primary care physician or other healthcare providers for referrals.

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