How to Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon for Your Needs

Cosmetic surgery is a great way to improve parts of a person’s body that they are not satisfied entirely with. Improving the appearance is a great way of improving the general confidence of that person. As an individual considering having cosmetic surgery, it is important to be careful and circumspect when choosing the surgeon that will be responsible for that procedure. The decision is one that will impact the person’s life for the rest of their life. It is very important to pick a surgeon that is very experienced, skilled, and understands the person’s wants. Cosmetic surgery procedures range from major surgeries like liposuction, abdominoplasty, and facelifts to minor non-surgical procedures like injectables. 

Even though all medical procedures have potential risks, plastic surgery is very common. However, finding the right cosmetic surgeon is the key to getting the best results for the particular procedure that the person wants. In this article, the qualities that should be looked out for when searching for a plastic surgeon are listed.

Qualities of a good plastic surgeon

The qualities or tips for finding the right plastic surgeon for a person’s surgery needs include:

Certification

It is important to ensure that before getting any medical procedure of any kind, the surgeon has gone through the proper training. All doctors must have a license to practice medicine in their country and state. These licenses are issued after they have undergone rigorous training and have satisfied all the criteria needed for the medical profession.

Board certification is an extra step that doctors choose to take; this is not a mandatory legal requirement. When a doctor is board certified, they are held to a higher standard than the ones that are not certified. The certification means that they are experts in their field and that they are also constantly improving themselves as doctors. A plastic surgeon with board certification means that they have chosen to be held to a higher standard. This can then give the client peace of mind and put her at ease knowing that their surgeon has this board certification.

The facility where they work

Cosmetic surgery is often done in an ambulatory care center or the surgeon’s office-based surgical facility. It is very important to ensure that the facility is properly accredited, the same way that it is important to find a board-certified surgeon. The accreditation of the facility ensures that the standards are strictly followed for proper equipment, staffing, safety, surgeon credentials, and protocols. The accreditation of the clinic can be researched by the client. Accredited facilities are usually required to have the best patient care, a low mortality rate, and less than half of the 1% serious mortality of patients.

Relatable and being at ease with the surgeon

It is important to feel at ease with the surgeon, a sort of partnership. The client should feel comfortable that in case of any unexpected outcomes, the surgeon will be able to handle the situation. The client should be wary of moving forward if they are uneasy with any aspect of the surgeon’s demeanor or they feel that they do not have a high degree of trust in the surgeon.

Experience

A lot of surgeons are specialized in some areas over others, discussing these specialties with the surgeon can help a client feel more comfortable about their choice of that surgeon over others. It is always important to also gauge the experience of the surgeon by their responses to questions and mannerisms. A very experienced surgeon will usually try to go above and beyond in explaining that they are the best option for the surgery that the client is interested in. Another way to have an idea of the experience of the surgeon is to ask the following questions:

• How many times they have performed that particular procedure
• How many years of experience do they have
• How many surgeries do they perform in a year

It is important to note that transparency is the key to making a client feel comfortable and at ease in the medical profession. So always enquire about the experience of the surgeon during the consultation. A quality plastic surgeon will be happy to provide all the answers that the client needs to have peace of mind.

Must be knowledgeable

Even when the client has done some research about the procedure that they want, there is always a list of questions that they may still have in mind before they are completely comfortable with going ahead with the surgery. A good surgeon will always be patient, understanding, and willing to give answers to any question that the client may have. They will not make the client feel stupid for any of their questions, they will even sometimes provide the client with resources and materials that will provide more clarity about the procedure. They will also be available for the client so that they go over every detail of the procedure before it happens.

Empathy

It is important to look for a surgeon that has a genuine concern for their patients and not the ones that are in a hurry to get over with the procedures. The qualities of an empathetic surgeon are:

• They are good listeners and communicators
• They do not judge the client
• They are obvious that they care about the client’s well being
• They also endeavor to make everything as pleasant as possible for their clients

They should also make the client feel understood, safe, and comfortable for the duration of their contact with the surgeon.

Honesty 

Quality cosmetic surgeons should be transparent about everything that they are asked about, from their qualifications and accreditations to their experience and other things. They will also inform the client honestly about everything concerning the procedure, from the potential risks to the likely outcomes, etc. They are also straightforward; they try to avoid unrealistic expectations and always tell the clients the cold facts, not just telling them what they want to hear but what they need to hear so that they can get the best medical care and results possible.

Has a good recommendation

Another good quality of a plastic surgeon is that they must come with good recommendations from their previous clients. They would usually want to prove that they have what it takes to perform a great job in the procedure. Patient reviews are a great way to learn what to expect from a surgeon. If the surgeon has glowing reviews, it then follows that they possess all the good qualities listed above. A quality surgeon should also have before and after photos of their past work with their clients. That way, the client would not have to wonder about the skill set, they would be provided with physical evidence.