Finding and Choosing a Plastic Surgeon
Finding a good plastic surgeon is as important as finding a good brain surgeon or family doctor for that matter. Since there is no central database containing all the names of all the plastic surgeons in the country, finding the surgeon in a specific area that is the best suited to your needs may require some thorough detective work. Also, one must be prepared for the possibility that finding an acceptable plastic surgeon may require some traveling, especially those living in rural areas.
When you find a plastic surgeon it is very important to find out what specific area of interest, if any, he or specializes in. Obviously you would not want your plumbing fixed by an individual who specializes in electronics, so by the same token you wouldn’t want to be getting implants from a doctor who specializes in face lifts or liposuction. Most legitimate plastic surgeons are trained in all or most areas of plastic surgery, but it is best to find a surgeon who has a specific interest in the type of surgery you are seeking. A reputable plastic surgeon will provide potential clients with brochures that contain specific details about the desired procedure and how much it will cost. If finding out the cost seems too much like a mystery or you are unable to get straight answers regarding the details that are important to you, then move on to the next prospective surgeon.
A plastic surgeon’s training and qualifications are also something that should be taken into consideration. Normally this kind of thing is decorating the walls of the doctor’s office or waiting room in the form of diplomas and/or certifications. A lack of diplomas should be considered very suspicious. You would not want to end up with a high school graduate who took a few courses on the side after graduation or a medical school reject. Most reputable plastic surgeons will be more than happy to show you their credentials and even provide you with names and phone numbers of former patients so you can obtain references.
Friends should not be considered a reliable source of information about plastic surgeons. Unless you can see the results of the surgery, it is extremely unwise to rely entirely upon word of mouth. Also remember that just because a certain surgeon is the most well advertised that does not make him or her the best. In fact, the best plastic surgeons usually do not need to advertise because they already have long waiting lists and more work than they can handle.
There are many organizations worldwide that publish lists of plastic surgeons. However, one should be wary of these lists because some of these memberships are the paid kind. The most reliable sources of information about plastic surgeons are usually those through government organizations or consumer groups.
In the United States, probably the best place to start looking for a board certified plastic surgeon is The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Just type the society’s name into any popular search engine and you should not have any trouble finding a website that will lead you to a reputable plastic surgeon in your area. Membership in this society does not always guarantee superiority, but you will be able to see at a glance all of a specific surgeon’s qualifications and be able to access even more information by using the society’s toll free number.
Another good source of information can be your family doctor, specialist, or dentist. These individuals often need to refer patients to plastic surgeons because of various accidents and are likely to know which surgeons in your area are reputable.
