Cosmetic surgery is a big step. If you’re considering a procedure you’ve likely thought about the process from many different angles, including which procedure is best for you, how it will change your body, and how long you’ll need to recover. Have you considered your cosmetic surgeon too? Choosing the right one is one of the most important decisions to make when moving forward with a cosmetic surgery procedure. The right cosmetic surgeon can make the experience resoundingly positive, and the wrong one can lead to many issues, from botched surgeries to excessive fees to painful recoveries.
Important Factors to Consider When Planning Your Procedure
1. Is Your Surgeon a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon?
Believe it or not, there are no government regulations that require a doctor to be board certified to perform plastic or cosmetic surgery. Therefore, you’ll discover that a number of doctors who practice as general surgeons or have other medical training have started performing cosmetic surgeries without any additional certification training. While in theory, these doctors have medical expertise, they do not always have the training specific to the procedure that you’re seeking. This can be a problem. Make sure that your doctor is certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS), the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), or another pertinent governing body so you can be sure that a third party has verified their qualifications and that they are up to date.
2. Are They Experienced in Your Particular Type of Surgery?
There are many different cosmetic surgery options, and oftentimes a cosmetic surgeon can perform a variety of procedures. Just as you have verified their board certification, you’ll want to check to make sure that your cosmetic surgeon has substantial experience in the specific type of surgery you’re getting. Operating on different parts of the body requires different skill sets, so cosmetic surgeons often specialize and become well-versed in the new surgical technologies, tools, and methods regularly introduced. Additionally, they’re adept at handling any issues that come up, and their work is better because they’ve performed the procedure many times. Competent surgeons will be happy to help put your mind at ease by talking with you. Consider asking them these questions to ascertain their experience:
- What specific training do you have in this procedure?
- How long have you been performing it?
- How many of these procedures have you completed?
- How do you stay up-to-date in the latest tools and techniques for this type of procedure?
- Is the anesthetist a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or a board certified anesthesiologist?
3. Do You Like Their Work?
Of course, it’s important to know your cosmetic surgeon’s work so you have a good idea of what your outcome will be. Like any designer, their before and after pictures tell the story of their unique approach and style, so you can glean a lot of good information from that. It’s helpful to find “before” photos that are similar to your “before” as well! Look for patients that are similar in age and have similar features that you’d like to address. Study the “afters” to make sure you like them. You can also discuss your surgeon’s ideas at your consultation to make sure you’re aligned with them. Also, read their reviews! Raving reviews and testimonials let you know that they have happy patients!
Related: 5 Questions You NEED To Ask At Your Plastic Surgery Consultation
4. What’s the Facility Like?
When you visit for your consultation, take some time to observe your surroundings. Are they clean and modern? Is the operating room accredited so that it has key life support systems? Ask if they have an American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), or Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), operating facility certification or have received accreditation from your state’s medical board.
5. How’s the Entire Experience?
When you go into the consultation, you’ll see how the staff and surgeon treat you. Do you feel comfortable in the space? Do you get the information you need, especially the pricing? Do you like the pre- and post-operative procedures? Is everyone responsive and honest? Do you like your surgeon’s bedside manner? Do you trust the surgeon enough to share your personal medical information, habits, and most fervent wishes? These intangibles are important so that you ultimately get exactly what you want.
At the Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery, we understand how important it is for you to love your cosmetic surgeon and the entire experience. We have over 20 years of experience in cosmetic surgery across a variety of different procedures, and we are constantly keeping up with evolving technologies, tools, and methods. Dr. Beverly Fischer is board certified with American Society of Cosmetic Physicians, American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, and the facility is a Medicare Certified Ambulatory Center. We pride ourselves on providing a spa-like experience, and our friendly staff is very attentive to your needs. We’d be happy to talk to you about your cosmetic surgery goals so we can provide a great experience from the moment you meet us — and most importantly, an outcome that thrills you!
