Qualities to Look for in a Cosmetic Surgeon

The decision to have a cosmetic procedure such as Botox, liposuction or a facelift is a personal one and should not be entered into lightly. You need to find the right cosmetic surgeon for your specific needs with the skills and experience to achieve the quality results you desire. In order to help you find the best medical professional to help you achieve your desired results, let’s look at the qualities you should look for in a cosmetic surgeon.

Desired Cosmetic Surgeon Qualities

Board-Certification – The fact that a doctor is board-certified is one of the best indications of his or her training in any particular medical specialty. Doctors who are certified in the field of plastic surgery will have a certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Rapport – You should feel comfortable asking questions of any plastic surgeon you meet with for a consultation appointment. The questions you ask should concern the amount of experience the doctor has in performing the procedure you are considering, the techniques used by the doctor and photo examples of results from past procedures. Have an in-depth discussion with the surgeon about the pros and cons of the surgery. The consultation appointment will help you determine whether or not you have a rapport with the surgeon and feel comfortable having that person perform your surgery.

Facility Accreditation – In general, cosmetic surgery can be performed in a hospital or a doctor’s office. Check with your doctor and make sure that the venue he picked for your procedure is accredited by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASPAS). Office-based procedures in a facility accredited by the ASPAS often have a safety record equal to surgeries performed in a hospital.

References – Employers often check the references of people they are thinking of hiring as employees. Do the same thing for your surgeon and check the references and board-certification of the surgeon with the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Cost – Like many things in life, the final decision can often come down to the price of the surgery. The cost for cosmetic surgery can vary depending on a number of factors including the region of the country where the surgery is performed, the skills of the surgeon as more experienced doctors often charge higher fees for their services, facility fees, anesthesia fees, follow-up care costs and whether or not insurance will cover any of the costs of surgery. Cosmetic surgery is not usually covered by insurance unless the doctor can prove there is a legitimate medical need for the surgery. Ask your surgeon about any and all costs and fees associated with the surgery so you can make an informed financial decision before undergoing the procedure.

Technical Expertise – Do your research to determine if your surgeon has the technical ability to execute cosmetic procedures with ability and finesse. The technical ability of a doctor is a vital quality to look for because it determines the overall quality of work you can expect from the surgeon.

Experience – A decent level of experience is a good quality to look for in your cosmetic surgeon. Experienced cosmetic surgeons are basically equipped with the knowledge to perform a variety of cosmetic procedures. During a consultation session with your doctor, it is important to ask about the surgeon's level of experience regarding the procedure you're considering. Also, it's important you check the doctor's “before and after” photos of prior procedures he or she has performed and check reviews from past patients to confirm that the doctor has a history of providing excellent care.

Postoperative Care - A doctor's post-operative care regimen is a crucial quality most patients fail to consider. A lot of patients are oblivious to the fact that postoperative care is just as important as the procedure itself.  Good surgical care doesn’t end with the surgery. A good surgeon should have a reliable post-op regimen in place to monitor the progress of patients and provide any necessary medical care.

Physician Consultation - The consultation session is arguably the most important step during the preparation for a cosmetic procedure. During a consultation appointment, all of your doubts and questions should meet a satisfactory end. A consultation session is the chance to get answers to your questions. A good consultation should also involve a conversation on the risks and rewards of the procedure and a review of the patient's medical history including existing medical conditions. The findings made during a consultation session forms the basis that helps the surgeon custom-tailor the procedure to best meet the needs of each patient because no two procedures are exactly the same.

Artistic Eye – It takes years of higher education, training, and experience to become a board-certified plastic surgeon. However, there is one aspect doctors cannot learn in school and that is artistic ability. There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” approach to plastic surgery. Creativity and vision are often the difference between natural-looking results and noticeable results. This would be a great topic to bring up during your consultation session.

Picking Your Cosmetic Surgeon of Choice

Once you have taken all of the factors listed above into consideration, it is time to make your final decision regarding your cosmetic surgeon. Once you make the final decision about which cosmetic surgeon will perform your procedure, you will be ready to take the next step towards achieving the final results of your dreams.