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Tips on Finding the Best Plastic Surgeon

The reality is, any medical doctor with an active medical license can perform cosmetic surgery. For example, a dentist could legally perform liposuction, just as a dermatologist could perform breast augmentation. That’s a scary thought for anyone planning to have cosmetic surgery.

By taking a weekend course, any doctor can perform cosmetic surgery and unless a patient has done some research, they could end up with a doctor who is not qualified or experienced. With so many surgeons out there, it can be difficult to find one you can trust. To make it easier, we have some tips that can help you avoid any potential harm:

1. Make sure your plastic surgeon is Board-Certified.

You need to be sure that your plastic surgeon is Board-Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is important, since it confirms that the plastic surgeon has completed three to five years of training in surgery and at least two years of plastic surgery. Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons have taken oral and written exams and are qualified to perform plastic surgery procedures safely on patients. If you are unsure about the certification of a particular plastic surgeon, 1800mySurgeon can provide you with a surgeon background check.

2. Make sure your plastic surgeon is practicing with a clean record.

Be aware that a plastic surgeon can have malpractice judgments on their record. Knowing this before your surgery is critical. In California and most other states, the Medical Board provides a list of malpractice judgments and actions brought against a surgeon and makes them available to the public.

3. Make sure your plastic surgeon has hospital privileges.

You can tell a lot about a plastic surgeon just by asking where he/she has hospital privileges. If you are having your plastic surgery procedure at an outpatient clinic, ask where the surgeon has hospital privileges. Since hospitals perform background checks on surgeons, it could be a warning sign if they have not granted the surgeon hospital privileges.

4. Make sure your plastic surgeon addresses all your questions and concerns.

During your first consultation and any meeting thereafter, the surgeon should answer all of your questions to the best of his/her ability. The first consultation with your plastic surgeon should be your time to ask questions and learn more about your procedure of interest. Educating yourself about the procedure ahead of time and going to the consultation with a prepared set of questions is a good idea. Be sure to pay attention to how your surgeon answers your questions. Check out our doctor consultation tips.

5. Make sure your plastic surgeon does not pressure you to have surgery.

In some instances, surgeons suggest other procedures at the time of consultation. Patients who go for a consultation for a breast augmentation, for example, could be recommended a mini tummy tuck. Although you should take the surgeon’s suggestion into consideration, be sure that you are not getting pressured to have a procedure that you aren’t prepared to have. If you get confused, take a step back from your surgery planning for about a week. Clear your mind and ask yourself what you expect from surgery and what your personal goals are. What will the consequences be? Can you afford it? How long is recovery time? Taking a little break will help get you in perspective.

Lastly, ask your family and close friends and your regular physician for any recommendations. 1800mySurgeon can also help you find a Board-Certified in your area who practices with a clean license and carries no malpractice judgments. All of the surgeons in 1800mySurgeon's network are prescreened and offer their skills for various surgical procedures. If you have found a surgeon and would like to learn more about their certification and background, 1800mySurgeon can also perform doctor background checks, all with the goal of helping patients make the right decision.