Are you considering plastic surgery but don't know where to begin? Choosing the right plastic surgeon and asking the right questions are the two most important steps to take when starting the process. It is sad to say, but anyone with a medical degree and a valid license to practice medicine can label themselves a "plastic surgeon." Would you want someone specializing in internal medicine performing rhinoplasty or breast implants? Researching your physician and asking pertinent questions about the plastic surgery procedure you wish to have done is key in making the correct decision.
So how do you make sure the doctor you are interested in is really a plastic surgeon and not just a doctor performing plastic surgeries? Check whether he or she has a plastic surgeon's certification and experience. You can check with the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) online at www.abplsurg.org to verify their status. It should be a warning sign to look somewhere else if your surgeon is not a member.
What type of training do plastic surgeons certified through ABPS have? How does their training differ from that of non-members? At the bare minimum, they must have completed a 2 or 3 year training program in cosmetic plastic surgery from an approved medical institution. Board certified plastic surgeons are qualified to perform plastic, reconstructive, cosmetic or aesthetic surgery.
So you have chosen a qualified surgeon; now what? Your first office visit is the next step in the process. During your office visit, you will be asked to complete a medical history questionnaire so that your surgeon can review your general health. You should use most of this first visit asking your doctor a number of important questions of your own. There are some basic questions you should ask during your first plastic surgery consultation.
This is a comprehensive list of questions to ask your surgeon. How often have you performed this type of plastic surgery procedure? Where will my surgery be performed? Are there any medical tests that need to be performed prior to the procedure, and are they included in the pricing? Approximately how long will my surgery take? What kind of anesthesia will be used? Are there any potential side effects, and if so, how have you dealt with them? What type of pain should I expect and what medications are used to treat it? Are the benefits of this procedure permanent? How long after surgery can I return to work? When can I resume normal activities like exercise, sex, etc.? How many check-ups will I have with the doctor after surgery?
However, there are some instances when plastic surgery can be performed by doctors who are not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. These are typically doctor-specific procedures, such as having eyelid surgery done by an ophthalmologist. You also need to know what will happen if an emergency should occur. Are there resources available to deal with the situation quickly? Cosmetic surgery is a serious elective medical procedure, so doing your research prior to going under the knife only makes sense.
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