Plastic surgery is an important decision and you want to make sure that the surgeon who performs it is not only knowledgeable about the procedure, but also will listen to your needs and wants to make sure you get the results you are looking for.
Verify their credentials
First and foremost, you should make sure that your plastic surgeon is board certified. This means that they have not only finished their medical degree, but also completed additional training and passed exams designed specifically for plastic surgeons. There are a few organizations that administer these certifications. You may want to find a doctor who has been certified by a board that specializes in the type of plastic surgery that you are considering. For example, if you are considering getting facial plastic surgery, you may want to look for a doctor who is certified by The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Ask around
If you have friends or even friends of friends who have had plastic surgery, ask them about their experience. If you’d rather not broadcast the fact that you’re planning to have plastic surgery, you can also join online forums to get advice. Ask people about their experience, what they would look for in a doctor, and whether or not they recommend their plastic surgeon. Many plastic surgeons also supply references of past patients that you can contact to find out about their experience with that particular doctor.
Meet several
Once you have received a few recommendations, set up consultations to meet each of them. During these meetings, ask a lot of questions and take lots of notes so you can refer to them as you make your final decision later. You should also bring pictures of the type of results you are looking for.
Find someone you’re comfortable with
After taking into account all of the objective measurements of a plastic surgeon, also make sure to pay attention to your feelings. You want to choose a plastic surgeon that you are comfortable with. They should listen carefully to your needs and clearly explain your options, including the benefits and risks of any surgery and procedures.
Many female patients feel more comfortable working with a female doctor because they feel that the doctor will be better able to relate to them. Sometimes this may limit the options of doctors to choose from. For example, in Utah there are only a few female plastic surgeons and Dr. Lucy Barr is the only one who is board certified in facial plastic surgery. But if it makes the patient comfortable, it can be worth finding a doctor that meets their preferences.
