Questions to Ask a Potential Plastic Surgeon

When you decide to have plastic surgery, one of the most important choices you need to make is who will perform your procedure. While all plastic surgeons receive extensive education and training, there is a significant difference in their skills and experience. You should take the time to find the right surgeon for your procedure. Here are questions to ask potential plastic surgeons to find the best professional for your surgery.

Did you complete any specialized training or fellowships?

There are plastic surgeons that performed the bare minimum of post-medical school training and those that spent extra years honing their skills. Highly qualified plastic surgeons may have completed one or more fellowships to get the best training available.

What credentials have you gained as a plastic surgeon?

Learn more about what credentials your potential surgeon has earned in their field. Are they members of any hospitals, associations or committees? Have they been published for their work? What field of plastic surgery do they have the most experience?

Do you have testimonials or before and after results I can see?

You want a plastic surgeon that is an expert in the type of surgery you are planning. A plastic surgeon may be recognized for his work in tummy tucks but may have very little experience in rhinoplasty. Find a surgeon that has excellent results and testimonials from patients that have had the same procedure as you are planning.

Just because a friend or family member had good results with one plastic surgeon does not mean they are the right doctor for you. Take the time to find a highly skilled plastic surgeon that you feel comfortable with to ensure you make the right choice when choosing the person who will perform your surgery.

Posted on behalf of:
Beverly Hills Center for Plastic & Laser Surgery
120 South Spalding Drive #236
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 288-0641

Choosing a Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facial plastic surgery can be a life changing experience.  Carefully choosing a qualified facial plastic surgeon for your procedure is very important.  You want to find a surgeon who has the right combination of experience, training and artistic ability to ensure the best possible result.

Finding the facial plastic surgeon who is right for you requires that you do a bit of homework.  First, you should do some research on the procedure you are considering.  The internet is an excellent resource for this purpose.  Once you understand the procedure, you can look for a plastic surgeon who has experience and an excellent reputation for this particular procedure.

Start by asking family, friends, co-workers and others if they have had a similar procedure and who they would recommend.  Check out the internet, telephone listings, and referral sites for facial plastic surgeons who specialize in your procedure.  Ask your doctor if he or she can give you a recommendation.

Once you have a list of possible candidates, check with the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to see if your surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery.  Board certified facial plastic surgeons have the most extensive training, have passed rigorous examinations, and are required to stay up to date on the latest techniques through annual continuing education.

You should also check with your state medical board to see if there have been any disciplinary actions against the surgeon, if the surgeon’s license has ever been suspended, or if there been any judgments against the surgeon.

Once you have narrowed the list down to a few qualified surgeons, schedule an initial consultation with each potential surgeon.  There may be a fee for the initial consultation.  Use the initial consultation as an opportunity to interview each of the surgeons and choose the one that you were most comfortable with.