How to Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

In choosing a plastic surgeon, your first goal is to develop a list of good candidates. Where do you find them? Some sources are better than others.

Friends. If you know someone who's had a procedure like the one you're considering, talk to him or her about it. But don't decide on a surgeon based on one friend's experience. Every patient is unique, and so is every surgery; your results might be quite different from your friend's.

Doctors. Your family doctor may be able to recommend a plastic surgeon. Ask your doctor how many patients he or she has referred to this surgeon, and what feedback they offered later. Ask whether the doctor would send a family member to this plastic surgeon.

Nurses. If you know an operating room nurse-or if you know someone who knows one-you can probably get a well-informed opinion on surgeons he or she has worked with.

Your next step: checking credentials

Once you've compiled a list of several doctors, you can start checking their credentials. While good credentials can't guarantee you a successful outcome, they can significantly increase the odds.

Training. More important than where your surgeon went to school is the type of training he or she received. Has the surgeon completed an accredited residency program specifically in plastic surgery? Such a program includes two or three years of intensive training in the full spectrum of reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. While your plastic surgeon may choose to concentrate on a limited number of procedures, this comprehensive background gives a solid foundation to his or her skills.

Board Certification. Patients are encouraged to consider a doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ("ABPS"). By choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by the ABPS, a patient can be assured that the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional residency training - usually three years of general surgery (or its equivalent) and two years of plastic surgery. To be certified by the ABPS, a doctor must also practice plastic surgery for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral exams.

Experience. Although there's no magic number (of years or procedures) that defines "experience," you should feel comfortable that the surgeon you choose is well versed and up-to-date in the procedure you're considering. You can ask the surgeons on our list if they do the procedure frequently or only occasionally, and when they last performed that procedure.

Finally: the consultation / interview

If you've narrowed your list down to two or three surgeons, you might want to visit them all for an initial consultation. That way you can compare their personalities, their opinions on the type of surgery you should have, their fees, and the way they answer your questions and explain the risks involved. Keep in mind, though, that you'll probably have to pay for these consultations, whether or not you choose that surgeon.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, no matter how trivial or how personal you think they'll sound. In fact, it's a good idea to write down your questions beforehand. You will not forget any of your questions and to make a note of the surgeon's answers as well. Here are a few general things to look for in the interview:

• The surgeon should answer all of your questions thoroughly, in language you can understand.
• He / She should ask about your motivations and expectations, discuss them with you, and solicit your reaction to his/her recommendations.
• He / She should offer alternatives where appropriate, without pressuring you to consider unnecessary procedures.
• He / She should welcome questions about professional qualifications, experience, costs and payment policies.
• He / She should make clear not only the risks of surgery but the possible variations in outcome. If the surgeon shows you photographs of other patients, or uses computer imaging to show you possible results, it should be clear that there is no guarantee that your results will match these.
• He / She should make sure the final decision is yours.

To read more about the psychological aspects of plastic surgery, please click here.