Plastic Surgery - Where To Begin
You may have considered having plastic surgery, but where unsure about where and how to begin. First and foremost, choosing the right plastic surgeon is paramount to having a good experience and a happy outcome. Once you have found one you are comfortable with, it is imperative to ask questions. In this day and age, anyone with a medical degree and a valid license to practice medicine can call themselves a plastic surgeon. In order to keep someone who specializes in podiatry from performing your breast lift or breast reduction surgery, you need to do some research.
So how do you make sure the doctor you are interested in is really a plastic surgeon and not just a doctor performing plastic surgeries? Check whether he or she has a plastic surgeon’s certification and experience. You can check with the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) online at www.abplsurg.org to verify their status. It should be a warning sign to look somewhere else if your surgeon is not a member.
What type of training do plastic surgeons certified through ABPS have? How does their training differ from that of non-members? At the bare minimum, they must have completed a 2 or 3 year training program in cosmetic plastic surgery from an approved medical institution. Board certified plastic surgeons are qualified to perform plastic, reconstructive, cosmetic or aesthetic surgery.
So you have chosen a qualified surgeon; now what? Your first office visit is the next step in the process. During your office visit, you will be asked to complete a medical history questionnaire so that your surgeon can review your general health. You should use most of this first visit asking your doctor a number of important questions of your own. There are some basic questions you should ask during your first plastic surgery consultation.
This is a comprehensive list of questions to ask your surgeon. How often have you performed this type of plastic surgery procedure? Where will my surgery be performed? Are there any medical tests that need to be performed prior to the procedure, and are they included in the pricing? Approximately how long will my surgery take? What kind of anesthesia will be used? Are there any potential side effects, and if so, how have you dealt with them? What type of pain should I expect and what medications are used to treat it? Are the benefits of this procedure permanent? How long after surgery can I return to work? When can I resume normal activities like exercise, sex, etc.? How many check-ups will I have with the doctor after surgery?
There are some procedures for which you might consider a non-American Board of plastic surgery surgeon. They generally are procedures that an ophthalmologist can perform, such as eyelid surgery. The biggest question to ask is about complications and what the procedure is if they do arise. Are there emergency resources at the ready? Cosmetic, plastic surgery is a serious medical procedure. It is wise to research your prospective plastic surgeon’s credentials and patient feedback before committing to a course of action.
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