COSMETIC TOWN JOURNAL



Plastic Surgery Warning - Don't Trust your Face to Just Any Doctor

Posted March 07, 2019
Things to do before agreeing to facial procedure

Are you concerned about signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, sagging cheeks and droopy eyelids? If so, these signs of aging can addressed by a doctor that is experienced in performing plastic surgery. However, you need to exercise caution and not trust your face to just any doctor.

You need to find a plastic surgeon because, while many cosmetic doctors understand the benefits of cosmetic surgery procedures such as Botox and fillers as well how to administer them, only a plastic surgeon has all the tools needed for a comprehensive treatment plan that can also include surgery.

How to Find the Right Doctor for your Face?

In order to find a qualified facial plastic surgeon that will provide the results you desire, there are certain steps you should follow when picking a doctor:

  • Consult with another doctor, a satisfied patient of the doctor or someone you trust like a family member or a friend.
  • Find out how often the doctor in question performs your procedure of choice and if the doctor has hospital privileges to perform surgery at a hospital.
  • Research the doctor to find out if the person specializes in your procedure of choice. Patients can consult with the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) whose members focus on the head, face and neck. The American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons (ABFPRS) can help you determine the experience and skills of a plastic surgeon.

According to Dr. Shelia Nazarian, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, patients need to “look for someone who was actually trained in a residency program that applies to the procedure you are having.  A lot of people are board-certified in something and sometimes that can be misleading.  For example, an OB-GYN may be board certified in OB-GYN and say “Board-Certified” on their website but you wouldn’t want them doing your breast augmentation.”

Ask your doctor about their area of specialty as well as what percentage of their practice is devoted to plastic surgery of the face. The doctor might be a good choice for plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation and liposuction but this does not mean the person is qualified for plastic surgery on the face. Dr. Nazarian added “The phrase 'Cosmetic Surgeon' is currently a red flag.  It usually means that your doctor was not trained in plastic surgery but is performing those procedures anyway.  It's one thing if they tell you they were trained in something else and are doing cosmetic procedures but usually this is not communicated clearly.”

Dr. Karan Dhir, a facial plastic & reconstructive surgeon in Beverly Hills, says patients should be aware of some “red flags” when it comes to choosing a doctor.  “Surgeons that are not board-certified should be a red flag to patients.  Also, you want to interview surgeons that specialize in your desired surgery.”

Once you find a doctor with the proper credentials for your procedure of choice, you need to schedule a consultation appointment with the person to make sure you feel comfortable with the doctor. Dr. Dhir wants patient to know that “it is best to ask the questions that mean the most to you and not to ask questions from a checklist. The most important factor during a consultation, once you have found a qualified surgeon, is to have a connection with that surgeon. I recommend asking questions that are focused around the expectations of the healing process as it connects to your personal life and career.”  The doctor should answer any and all questions you ask about the surgery and also the recovery time and the final results. It is also appropriate to ask about his or her area of expertise, training and background as a doctor. Finally, ask to see examples of the doctor’s work on his or her actual patients.

Signs of Aging Plastic Surgeons can address on the Face

When it comes to plastic surgery to address signs of aging, there are many conditions that patients might want to see addressed by a doctor:

  • Nasolabial folds AKA deep laugh lines
  • Fat deposits around the skin
  • Skin that is sagging and has jowls
  • Fine lines and wrinkles

Once these signs of aging have been identified, plastic surgeons can treat them and turn back the clock to provide you with a rejuvenated and youthful look. Facial plastic surgery can improve the contours of the face, smooth the surface of the skin, tighten the jawline and provide an overall rejuvenated appearance to the face.

It is important to remember that the face is how you present yourself to others during your daily life. While you might be proud of what you have accomplished in your life, you might not want the world to know your actual age. Facial plastic surgery gives you the opportunity to improve signs of aging and look younger than your actual number of years on this planet.

It is also important to remember that any type of plastic surgery should be performed because it makes you happy and gives you the appearance you desire. Do not have the surgery to make someone else happy or to gain the approval of another person. Plastic surgery should be done for your own benefit and to make you feel good about your personal appearance.

MA

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