The journey to successful plastic surgery begins with picking a suitable surgeon to perform the procedure. Although there are many cosmetic and plastic surgeons in any given area, finding a good one is not necessarily easy. As such, you need to do your due diligence to ensure that the surgeon you pick for your cosmetic procedure has what it takes to do a perfect job.
Below is a rundown of tips you can count on as you consider your future plastic surgeon.
Talk to Several Plastic Surgeons
As mentioned above, there are many facilities offering cosmetic procedures in any area, such as plastic surgery in the Bay Area. Therefore, determining which plastic surgeon is the best for you can be difficult.
Start by interviewing a few of them.
Talking to different plastic surgeons will go a long way in helping you understand what the procedure you need involves and how good the various plastic surgeons are at that particular procedure.
You can ask them about their specialty and experience. Some plastic surgeons emphasize facial procedures; others are known for their body contouring techniques. In short, find a surgeon with particular expertise in the type of surgery you are considering.
The goal is to ensure that you pick the one whose expertise and experience are above board.
Ask for References
As you talk to different surgeons, you can ask them for references. While they may not send you to particular patients, they can show you before and after pictures of the procedures, they have performed.
This way, you will be in a position to judge the surgeons based on the results of their work. You will also be able to build realistic expectations.
Ask About Board Certification
Plastic surgery is a highly complex job that requires many years of education and on-the-job training. In the United States, qualified plastic surgeons should hold the American Board of Plastic Surgery’s (ABPS) certification.
This certification proves that they have undergone rigorous training and uphold a high standard of ethics in their practice.
Pick a Surgeon With Hospital Privileges
While some very skilled plastic surgeons choose to perform their plastic surgeries in their own surgical center, it is still beneficial to choose a surgeon with hospital privileges. This shows another level of their training.
Additionally, some patients wish to choose plastic surgery performed in a hospital setting. This is because complications can occur during and after the procedure, and you might need the attention of medical professionals found only in hospitals.
Choose Quality Over Cost
Plastic surgery is as important as any other surgery, and therefore, choosing to go for a plastic surgical procedure is an extremely weighty decision.
Although the cost of the procedure is an important factor when it comes to choosing your cosmetic surgeon, you should never focus on the cost at the expense of quality. In a nutshell, you should be looking for more than just a great deal.
You will have to live with the results of your decision for a while (if not forever). Those lasting results mean much more than a slight increase in cost.
The Bottom Line
Although there are many plastic surgeons near you, finding a reliable one can be hard.
Given how complex plastic surgical procedures can be and the impacts they can have on your life, you need to do your due diligence to ensure that you settle for a plastic surgeon with a solid educational and professional background.
This way, you will ensure that you have someone who has what it takes to perform the procedure effectively and safely.
