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05.02.08
Getting to Know Your Plastic Surgeon
Doctors across the U.S are practicing plastic surgery without having the license and training necessary to do so. In 1997, an obstetrician-gynecologist performed liposuction surgery on three patients, leaving one patient dead and the other two seriously injured. After a thorough investigation, it turned out that the physician had only taken a four-day course in liposuction. He eventually had his medical license revoked.
With new cost-cutting techniques and modern advances in technology, plastic surgery is now being performed in outpatient facilities, which requires less monitoring than hospitals. That means anyone with a medical degree can perform plastic surgery legally and without proper training. That’s a scary thought for anyone considering having any type of plastic surgery.
Here are a couple of questions to ask your plastic surgeon, just to make sure that you can trust him/her to perform plastic surgery on you.
Are you Board-Certified?
It is very important that your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Only a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon has had five years of general surgery residency along with two years of plastic surgery residency. It is also an advantage for your plastic surgeon to be a member of The American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS).
What training have you had?
Ask your plastic surgeon where they had their training and residency. If they are Board-Certified, be assured that they have graduated from an accredited school and had at least 5 years of training at an accredited facility.
How many patients have you performed this procedure on?
The more times a plastic surgeon has performed a procedure, the more likely it is that they are better at it. Ask your plastic surgeon about how many times he/she has performed the particular procedure, as your own way of assessing his/her experience.
Where will the surgery take place?
Some surgeries are performed right in the plastic surgeon’s office and others are performed in outpatient centers. Once you’re sure about where your surgery will be performed, it is a good idea to make sure that it has been inspected and is up to safety code standards.
Can I meet your staff?
It is important to feel comfortable with not only your surgeon, but the people you’ll be surrounded with during your surgery. Try to set up a meeting with the staff and get to know everyone beforehand, so you can feel comfortable on the day of surgery.
Can I see before and after photos of your past procedures?
Plastic Surgery is considered a form of art, which is why most surgeons take pride in their work and show it off. It is a good idea to ask to see pictures of procedures they have performed in the past. If possible, ask to see the progression of the surgery, not just the before and after shot, so you can get a good sense of what the recovery process looks like.
Can I speak to a former patient?
By speaking to former patients, you can get good background information about the doctor’s capabilities and professionalism.
Finding a qualified Board-Certified Surgeon could be just a click or phone call away, by calling 1-800-my-surgeon (1-800-697-8743) or visiting www.1800mysurgeon.com. You can get in touch with one of 1800mySurgeon.com’s patient coordinators who can help you find a Board-Certified Surgeon you can trust. 1800mySurgeon.com works with a nationwide network of surgeons that have been prescreened for specialty, certification and background. 1800mySurgeon.com can also perform background checks on a surgeon you have found – all with the goal of helping patients make an informed decision.
With new cost-cutting techniques and modern advances in technology, plastic surgery is now being performed in outpatient facilities, which requires less monitoring than hospitals. That means anyone with a medical degree can perform plastic surgery legally and without proper training. That’s a scary thought for anyone considering having any type of plastic surgery.
Here are a couple of questions to ask your plastic surgeon, just to make sure that you can trust him/her to perform plastic surgery on you.
Are you Board-Certified?
It is very important that your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Only a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon has had five years of general surgery residency along with two years of plastic surgery residency. It is also an advantage for your plastic surgeon to be a member of The American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS).
What training have you had?
Ask your plastic surgeon where they had their training and residency. If they are Board-Certified, be assured that they have graduated from an accredited school and had at least 5 years of training at an accredited facility.
How many patients have you performed this procedure on?
The more times a plastic surgeon has performed a procedure, the more likely it is that they are better at it. Ask your plastic surgeon about how many times he/she has performed the particular procedure, as your own way of assessing his/her experience.
Where will the surgery take place?
Some surgeries are performed right in the plastic surgeon’s office and others are performed in outpatient centers. Once you’re sure about where your surgery will be performed, it is a good idea to make sure that it has been inspected and is up to safety code standards.
Can I meet your staff?
It is important to feel comfortable with not only your surgeon, but the people you’ll be surrounded with during your surgery. Try to set up a meeting with the staff and get to know everyone beforehand, so you can feel comfortable on the day of surgery.
Can I see before and after photos of your past procedures?
Plastic Surgery is considered a form of art, which is why most surgeons take pride in their work and show it off. It is a good idea to ask to see pictures of procedures they have performed in the past. If possible, ask to see the progression of the surgery, not just the before and after shot, so you can get a good sense of what the recovery process looks like.
Can I speak to a former patient?
By speaking to former patients, you can get good background information about the doctor’s capabilities and professionalism.
Finding a qualified Board-Certified Surgeon could be just a click or phone call away, by calling 1-800-my-surgeon (1-800-697-8743) or visiting www.1800mysurgeon.com. You can get in touch with one of 1800mySurgeon.com’s patient coordinators who can help you find a Board-Certified Surgeon you can trust. 1800mySurgeon.com works with a nationwide network of surgeons that have been prescreened for specialty, certification and background. 1800mySurgeon.com can also perform background checks on a surgeon you have found – all with the goal of helping patients make an informed decision.
