Due to the recent news about unqualified medical professionals getting in hot water for posing as plastic surgeons, I wanted to take some time to discuss what patients should look for when selecting a plastic surgeon. If you are considering undergoing plastic surgery, you will have a series of decisions to make before your respective procedure. Before you determine which cosmetic surgery procedure will best help you achieve your personal aesthetic goals, you will need to think long and hard about which surgeon you select to perform your plastic surgery. There is a lot more that goes into selecting a plastic surgeon than simply getting one good referral. While referrals and online research can provide a nice starting place for your search, you must be proactive and consider all your options. After all, the plastic surgeon you ultimately select will have a large hand in the quality of your results and how you feel about your newly-earned appearance for years to come.
Patients often ask me what they should consider when trying to pick the right surgeon for their procedure. While this can be a complicated question that depends largely on each patient’s specific circumstance, there are a few things I advise all patients to keep in mind. First and foremost, your plastic surgeon should be board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to ensure a baseline of experience and expertise. Cosmetic surgery should only be performed by board-certified plastic surgeons, not dermatologists, opthamologists, or other doctors who claim to be “cosmetic surgeons” regardless of how experienced they may seem. Next, find out where your prospective surgeon operates and which hospitals they are licensed to work with. Your surgery should never take place outside of a state-certified facility to ensure best surgery practices and safety precautions.
In the following video below, I discuss the most important factors that patients should be aware of when choosing a plastic surgeon to perform their cosmetic procedure:
It’s important to be smart, diligent, and patient when selecting a plastic surgeon. In the long run, patients agree that no financial discount or amount of time-saved is an acceptable substitute for outstanding, long-lasting aesthetic results from your surgery. For more information on cosmetic surgery or if you would like to schedule a complimentary plastic surgery consultation, please contact me, Dr. David Whiteman, at Southern Plastic Surgery today. And follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google+ for additional videos, news, and more.