Plastic Surgeons Are Not All The Same

Just about any medical doctor can call himself a cosmetic surgeon. A few courses in cosmetic procedures may be adequate for giving advice, but there is much more to plastic surgeons than meets the eye. Here is how to select a qualified doctor for your cosmetic procedures.

First of all, you need to make sure that your doctor is licensed and certified. Before claiming to be a top rated doctor, plastic surgeons must be certified and licensed, which earns respect and approval for their practice. If the doctor that you are considering for your procedure is not licensed and certified, you need to ask yourself, "Why not?" Choosing a doctor that has met this qualification is vitally important.

Next, you need to choose a doctor that is considered to be one of the best plastic surgeons in your area. Customer satisfaction is very important. You should ask for recommendations from your friends and family members, and then ask for references from the doctor. If you find that the doctor does not have a good reputation or has lots of outstanding complaints, you run the risk of being highly disappointed in the services that he provides.

These doctors often work in an office with a surgical suite. Visiting the office or facility is a great way to gauge some information about the doctor and his practice. Is the office clean and neat? Has the facility been taken care of or not? Any surgical facility should be as clean as a hospital and in tiptop condition.

One of the best ways to narrow your list of possible plastic surgeons is to interview a few of them. Call the office and ask for a consultation. You should be able to interview the doctor so that you can figure out if you are comfortable with him. During the process, be sure to ask if he will be the one performing the procedure or if another member of his staff will be doing it. It is vitally important to know exactly what you are paying for and what you will get. If at any time you feel uncomfortable or pressured, you can end the interview and move on to the next doctor on your list.

Plastic surgeons are the best source of information about the procedures you are considering. Some of these doctors specialize in various kinds of cosmetic procedures, so make sure you ask them if they specialize in a particular area. Some doctors prefer to do procedures on the face while others prefer to do liposuction and tummy tucks.

Doing your homework before you have any type of surgery performed is important, but especially so when the surgery is elective. Since you have a choice, take your time and decide which options are best for you.