Choosing a Doctor
Finding the best plastic surgeon or top cosmetic Surgeon offering the specialized expertise in their area of expertise and who are willing to educate their patients can be difficult but definitely not impossible to find.
Checking the qualifications of a physician's medical licensure and certifications as well as professional memberships in their field of choice's organizations are perfectly acceptable. The American Academy of Cosmetic surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons have strict guidelines on becoming certified. There are criteria that need to be met in and certain experience gained in order to be on either organization's roster of physicians. Medical training in appropriate medical schools and fellowships and residencies in specific areas are imperative to the education of the board certified plastic surgeon.
Top plastic surgeons have before surgery photos and after surgery photos of other patients who have given their permission for the doctor to use the photos of his plastic surgery technique. Board certified plastic surgeons have practiced their craft to perfection and have no problems producing proof of that.
Cosmetic surgery centers and clinics must be certified for cosmetic and plastic surgery. Ask the cosmetic surgeon where the surgery will be done. There are standards to be maintained for plastic surgery center to keep its accreditation. Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC) or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) issue accreditation allowing top plastic surgeons to perform procedures in their facilities.
The relationship a patient has with their doctor is very important. The best cosmetic surgeon is the one who listens and understands what his or her patient wants. Plastic surgery specialists keep the best interest of their patient in mind at all times, and are clear and concise as to what the plan for surgery is and what the patient can expect as an outcome.
Doctors who rush decisions of patients in regards to their surgery, doctors who want to perform multiple procedures at one time, doctors that don't answer questions so that the patient can easily understand them, and doctors who have suspicious mannerisms or unclean office and working environments are all suspect and should not be engaged in the services of plastic and cosmetic surgical procedures.
