As plastic surgery procedures continue to become more and more commonplace, perhaps you’ve thought about improving your looks and boosting your confidence with cosmetic surgery.
Whether you’re interested in plumping your lips, reducing frown lines, or even having a facelift, you need to be certain that you work with the best plastic surgeon possible.
But with so many choices available today, sometimes, knowing what to look for can feel overwhelming.
What kinds of questions should you ask when meeting with a potential plastic surgeon? What sort of experience level should they have? How can you better evaluate whether or not they’re a good fit for you?
We’re here to help you find out.
1. Board Certification and Proper Licensing
The very first thing you should do when you start researching potential plastic surgeons?
Be certain that you’re working with only board-certified plastic surgeons.
This means that the surgeon has received the required training and certification to be able to practice safe and ethical plastic surgery procedures. They’ve also passed numerous exams, and that they’ve completed residency training to build their skill set.
2. Continued Training and Education
You should also make sure that your plastic surgeon has strong education credentials.
Ask where they went to school, and even feel free to ask to see copies of their diplomas. You should also speak to them about continuing education.
After all, you want them to be familiar with the latest trends and development in plastic surgery.
Are they a member of any specialized plastic surgery groups, associations, or guilds? What kinds of conferences do they attempt to strengthen their knowledge? Do they contribute to or read any plastic surgery publications?
How do they update their medical training and work on developing a better, safer practice?
After all, education doesn’t end when a plastic surgeon starts their practice.
3. Experience and Specialization with Your Desired Procedure
Plastic surgeons often have areas that they love working within.
While surgeons can often provide a wide variety of procedures, make sure you find one that’s especially well-known for what you’d like to have done. Ask your surgeon about their areas of specialization, and even what draws them to these areas over others.
In addition to specialization, you should also make sure the surgeon you’re planning on working with has plenty of experience.
Ask about the most common complications and issues they see with your specific procedure. They should also be able to make suggestions about whether or not it’s truly the right option for your needs and wishes.
They may be able to make better suggestions about the kinds of surgery you really need to get the look you’re after.
4. Clear Explanations of the Recovery Process
In order to ensure that you get the best possible results, you’ll need to follow the guidelines of your recovery process to the letter.
You should always come to your appointment/consultation with questions about the recovery process. You might want to know what you can and can’t eat, or how long you’ll need to stay out of the gym after surgery.
However, in addition to answering your questions, your plastic surgeon should be able to explain the recovery process to you in great detail.
They should tell you about how long the process will take, what’s normal, and about any medications, you may be prescribed.
They’ll talk about the importance of follow-up appointments, changing your bandages, and what you can do to make yourself more comfortable.
If you leave your appointment feeling like you still don’t have much of an understanding of the recovery process?
Ask yourself if this person is really the best plastic surgeon for you. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry later.
5. Excellent Reviews and Recommendations
Even if you think you’ve found the best plastic surgeon, you need to make sure you’re relying on something other than just your opinion alone.
This means taking a closer look at, first of all, the testimonials on a plastic surgeon’s website. Be aware, however, that you likely won’t get the full story from the glowingly positive testimonials page alone.
You should also rely on information from third-party review sites to give you a deeper insight into the patient experience and level of care.
Make sure that you also ask the surgeon for at least three references that you can speak with over the phone. Ideally, these references would have had the same or at least similar procedures to the ones you’re considering.
When you talk to them, ask if they’re happy with the overall results of the procedure. Were these results consistent with what the surgeon told them was possible? Did they experience any abnormal side effects? Would they go to this surgeon again?
Additionally, ask about more technical things, like charges and payment options.
Were there hidden fees the client wasn’t made aware of? Do they feel they were charged a fair price?
Getting the input of past patients will help you to feel confident in the surgeon you’re choosing.
6. A Convenient Location
One of the most overlooked tips on how to find the best plastic surgeon for your needs?
Make sure you take their location into consideration.
Of course, it’s important to be willing to travel in order to get the best work possible. However, you need to know that you can get to the surgeon’s office quickly and conveniently.
Though you’ll almost always need someone to drive you to and from your surgeries, you want to know that if something goes wrong, the office is just a short trip away.
The same goes for attending your follow-up appointments. You want to make things as easy on yourself as possible. This is especially important during the recovery process.
Sometimes, depending on your comfort level and personal preference, you may also want to look for an office that’s located in a private area.
7. A Strong Web Presence
When you’re looking for the best plastic surgeon, you need to be on the lookout for one with a strong web presence.
A well-organized website is often a direct reflection of the level of care and service you can expect to receive. Plus, it promotes a sense of transparency between the surgeon and potential patients.
For example, they might have a blog on cosmetic surgery tips that you can follow after your procedure. Perhaps the surgeon also has an Instagram or other social media account showcasing the patient before and after photos.
A strong web presence matters because, first of all, it helps to build legitimacy and authority.
But it also lets you learn much more about the surgeon themselves, their qualifications and experience, and even the specific procedures they offer.
This can certainly help make your decision about which surgeon to work with much easier.
8. A Superior Bedside Manner
The best plastic surgeons are also those that make you feel comfortable and at ease when you’re in their office.
They should be able to clearly and completely explain the risks, potential outcomes, and the process of the surgery as a whole. You should never feel rushed when you speak to a surgeon, and they should use laymen’s terms, not complex medical jargon when speaking to you.
Take a look at the office staff and setting, too.
When you call into the office schedule consultations or appointments, are your requests followed up on promptly? Does the staff call to confirm your appointments?
Above all, when you’re looking for the right plastic surgeon, don’t be afraid to go with your gut. If you feel nervous asking questions or talking about your medical history with your surgeon, it’s not the right fit.
Remember that withholding information about your health, lifestyle, and any medications you’re on puts your safety at risk.
If you feel like your surgeon’s demeanor and bedside manner makes that level of honesty difficult, you need to go with someone else.
You’re Ready to Find the Best Plastic Surgeon
We hope that this post has made it much easier for you to find the best plastic surgeon for your needs.
Are you ready to take the plunge, and give yourself an incredible makeover?
Whether you want to have a less invasive procedure like fractal lasering or fillers, or if you’re ready to make a much bigger change, we want to give you the results you deserve.
Love yourself more, and celebrate the skin you’re in with our help.
You can learn more about Dr. Elizabeth here, including her education, credentials, awards and more!
