How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon For You

Choosing a plastic surgeon is an important decision. It requires research, due diligence, and lots of questions. Plastic surgery is a medical procedure and should not be taken lightly. By following these steps to choose the right plastic surgeon for you, you can ensure that you are making an informed decision about your health. 

Research Your Options 

The first step in selecting a plastic surgeon is researching your options. It’s important to find out as much information as you can about the surgeons in your area. Here are some basic criteria that they should meet:

Certifications & Licenses

Plastic surgeons should typically have a board certification in plastic and reconstructive surgery, which means they have passed a rigorous exam administered by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In addition, most states require doctors to be licensed in order to practice plastic surgery. Furthermore, many area hospitals may require practitioners to have additional credentials or certifications that enable them to admit and operate on patients. Professional societies like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons also offer voluntary certifications such as advanced certification for aesthetic/cosmetic surgery and advanced certification for trauma, microsurgery, or reconstruction. These certifications are a testament to the training, commitment and knowledge required from a reputable plastic surgeon. 

Client Reviews

Consider which procedure you’re thinking of getting. Perhaps it’s a cosmetic procedure for breast augmentation (breast implants), face or another area of your body. Or maybe it’s another treatment to help restore a youthful appearance like botox or a facelift? Cosmetic surgeons also offer procedures that commonly solve skin problems after weight loss, like a tummy tuck. Make sure to go through reviews from clients that have went through the same procedure that you’re looking into getting to make sure that you’re evaluating a professional that is trained and experienced in the surgical specialties needed for the procedure you’re after. Reviews offer information regarding experience, techniques and skills of the chosen surgeon which, when carefully examined, can provide additional assurance for the patient and peace of mind. Furthermore, reading reviews about a plastic surgeon’s work and policies can uncover red flags that may not be obvious during a consultation such as overly long wait times or unfollowed safety protocols, thus allowing the patient to make an even more conscious and comprehensive choice.

Before & Afters

When making an important decision such as choosing a plastic surgeon, it is essential to look at before and after results. A visual representation of the doctor’s advanced techniques and ability to produce desired results helps in building confidence that you are making the right choice. Take the time to analyze the before and after pictures carefully. Look for any signs of poor technique or uneven results in the photos. Specifically, look out for any visible scars or lumps that may be present on the skin in either the pre-op or post-op photos. Additionally, take note of how natural the results appear and if it looks like a good match notice of the size and shape of the area in question, as well as any subtle changes that may have been made. In particular, look for symmetry between the two sides, if applicable. Not only can you inspect the outcome from past surgeries, but also assess the skills of their entire staff in terms of follow up and aftercare. Seeing patient experiences will help provide peace of mind so that you can rest assured your decision is based on a professional assessment rather than just advertising claims. Taking time to review before and after results are key to feeling comfortable with your choice of a plastic surgeon.

Take Time to Ask Questions 

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential candidates, it’s time to interview them one-on-one. Schedule appointments with each doctor and prepare yourself ahead of time with a list of questions that are important to you. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask any questions or voice any concerns that you may have about the procedure or recovery process. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions; this conversation is instrumental in helping you decide which doctor will be best suited for your needs and provide optimal results. Common questions that patients should ask include inquiries about their medical conditions, what type of procedure they will be undergoing, what the possible risks and side effects may be, the estimated cost of the surgery, how they can prepare for recovery, and expected results and timelines. Consulting with a plastic surgeon can be an important step in understanding necessary details before proceeding with any kind of surgical procedure. Asking relevant questions is essential in order to ensure that you understand all facets of the process so that you can make an informed decision that best aligns with your desired outcomes.

Evaluate Your Comfort Level 

The final step in choosing a plastic surgeon is evaluating your comfort level with each candidate. Do they make you feel comfortable? Are they knowledgeable and confident when answering your questions? Are they willing to take their time explaining the entire process? These are all important factors that will help determine whether or not someone is right for you – both medically speaking as well as emotionally speaking!  

Things to Look Out For

There are various warning signs to watch out for that can indicate that a plastic surgeon is untrustworthy or ill-suited to perform your desired procedure. These warning signs may include unrealistic promises of results, lack of information on qualifications or history, unwillingness to provide credentials or documentary evidence regarding their experience in this field, pushiness/pressure to schedule a procedure without taking the time to assess eligibility, failure to offer referrals when appropriate and shoddy aftercare instructions. By considering these warnings signs and doing proper research into any plastic surgeon you are considering, you can make sure that your chosen medical professional has the necessary expertise and qualifications required to make your experience safe and successful.

Selecting the right plastic surgeon can seem like an intimidating task at first but by doing thorough research, asking lots of questions, and evaluating your comfort level with each doctor, it doesn’t need to be so overwhelming! When making such an important decision about your health and wellbeing, it’s best to take things slow and ensure that all possible bases are covered before committing to anything! That way, when it comes time for surgery day, there’ll be no doubt that you chose the very best professional for all of your needs! 

If you’re interested in seeing if La Belle Vie’s plastic surgeon, Dr. Church, is the right surgeon for you, feel free to explore our site’s About page that has more information on his certifications and experience. If you want to take it to the next step, we also offer complimentary consultations! Contact us whenever you feel you are ready.