Did you know that in the United States, there are more than 15 million plastic surgery procedures per year?

That number does not come as a surprise, considering that cosmetic surgery is a great way to tweak parts of your body that you are not completely happy with, improving your appearance and boosting your confidence. Plastic surgery procedures range from major surgeries like liposuction and nose jobs to minimally invasive and non-surgical procedures like injectables.

Although all medical procedures have potential risks, plastic surgery is very common. However, finding the right plastic surgeon is key to getting the best results out of whatever procedure you’re thinking of getting.

So, if you’ve been wondering what qualities to look for when trying to find a plastic surgeon, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for the top 11 qualities every great plastic surgeon possesses.

1. A Quality Plastic Surgeon Is Board-Certified

Before getting a surgery or medical procedure of any kind, you must ensure that your surgeon has undergone the proper training. All doctors are required to get a license to practice medicine in their state. As you probably know, all doctors must undergo intense training to obtain their medical license.

However, board certification is an extra step that doctors can choose to take. It is not a legal requirement.

When a doctor is board-certified, they are held to a higher standard. Not only does the certification mean that they are absolute experts in their specialty, but it also ensures that they are constantly working towards improving their skills as physicians.

If your plastic surgeon is board-certified, it means that they chose and understand that they’ll be held to higher standards.  So, knowing that your plastic surgeon is board-certified will give you peace of mind knowing that you are in great (and very qualified) hands.

2. A Quality Surgeon Is Experienced

Many surgeons are experts in some areas over others, and discussing this can help you feel better about picking a certain doctor to perform your surgery.

By having a medical license and being board-certified, you can have peace of mind knowing that a surgeon knows what they are doing. However, a top-notch plastic surgeon will always try to go above and beyond to show you that they are the best provider for whatever surgery you are interested in.

To get an idea of their experience level, you should ask questions such as:

• How many years of experience do you have?
• How many times have you performed this surgery/procedure?
• How many surgeries do you usually perform per year?

In any medical procedure, transparency is key to making you feel more comfortable. So, always ask about their experience when meeting with a potential plastic surgeon— a quality professional will always be happy to give you all the answers you need to give you peace of mind!

3. A Quality Surgeon Is Professional

Getting any medical procedure can be very anxiety-inducing. Most medical practitioners know this, and quality surgeons will always act in the most professional manner to make you feel more comfortable.

Of course, being professional also means that your surgeon will adhere to all the rules and regulations needed to practice medicine. Furthermore, they will always establish and maintain boundaries in order to have a professional patient/doctor relationship.

However, a top plastic surgeon will have many other characteristics that deem them professional. For example:

• A professional doctor will not only be an expert in their field, but they will also be respectful, polite, and conscientious
• They will also be good listeners and great communicators
• A professional doctor will also give you enough of their time, ensuring you get the proper attention

Lastly, being professional also means that they’ll be thorough with their examination. They’ll establish a strong line of communication so that you feel like you’re getting the professional attention you need and deserve throughout the entire process.

4. A Quality Plastic Surgeon Provides a Safe Environment

Your doctor must be able to provide you with a clean and safe environment during your entire plastic surgery journey. From having consultations in a clean and sanitized office to performing the surgery at an accredited surgical facility, cleanliness and safety should always appear as one of your surgeon’s top priorities.

Furthermore, a quality surgeon will always ensure that their office and staff are well equipped with everything needed to provide top-notch service.

When meeting with a potential surgeon to perform a surgery or procedure, you should never have to have any doubts regarding dirty equipment, unorganized records, etc. A quality surgeon will always ensure that their entire practice is up to the highest standards.

5. A Quality Surgeon Provides Amazing Customer Service

Nothing is worse than walking into a doctor’s office to be greeted by unhelpful people. A quality plastic surgeon will have a team of professionals who are patient and professional and will provide you with the best possible service.

From answering all of your questions to addressing your concerns, a doctor’s team is an extension of their practice. So, a quality surgeon will always be surrounded by amazing people who strive to make you feel comfortable, heard, understood, and cared for.

This includes the customer or patient service you receive throughout your entire cosmetic surgery journey. From the moment you walk into your first consultation to the moment you get discharged, a quality surgeon will ensure that you always get the best care possible.

6. A Quality Surgeon Answers All Your Questions

Even if you’ve done some research about your upcoming procedure, there is always a list of questions you might need to answer before feeling 100% comfortable with your surgery. A quality surgeon will always be very patient, understanding, and willing to answer any and all questions you might have.

They will never mock you or make you feel stupid about your questions and concerns. A top surgeon will even provide you with tools and resources to give you even more peace of mind about the procedure. They will also give you enough of their time so that you can go over everything you need before your surgery.

Furthermore, they will also provide you with all the information you need about post-op care. When you walk out after the procedure, a quality surgeon will ensure that you leave with all the tools and information you need to have a safe and successful recovery.

7. A Quality Surgeon Is Empathetic

You don’t want to deal with a surgeon who only cares about getting the surgery done and moving on. Instead, you should look for a surgeon who genuinely looks out for you and empathizes with your situation.

An empathetic plastic surgeon will:

• Make it apparent that they care about you and your overall well-being
• Be good listeners and communicators
• Not judge you
• Try their best to make the entire process as pleasant and smooth as possible

Furthermore, they will understand your motivations for wanting to get plastic surgery, and they will always make decisions that are in your best interest. Your chosen plastic surgeon should always make you feel understood in order to make you feel completely comfortable and safe the entire time you are under their care.

8. A Quality Surgeon Is Honest

A quality plastic surgeon will be transparent about their qualifications, experience, etc. In addition, they will disclose all of the potential risks and side effects of whatever surgery or procedure you will get.

A quality surgeon will be straightforward, trying to always avoid setting unrealistic expectations that will lead to their patients feeling unhappy. A top plastic surgeon will not always tell you what you want to hear, and that’s okay! Their job is to tell you what you need to hear so that you can get the best medical care and results possible.

Just like you should always be honest with your physicians in order to receive the best possible care, your doctors also have a responsibility to be completely honest with you.

9. A Quality Surgeon Has Good Patient Testimonials

One of the biggest characteristics that a top plastic surgeon will have is a roster of happy clients! Your surgeon will want to prove to you that they have what it takes to do a great job in your procedure or surgery.

What better way to do it than showing you what their past clients are saying about their experience?

Patient testimonials and reviews are a great way to learn what to expect from a surgeon. They will let you know about other people’s experiences, results, etc. If the surgeon has nothing but glowing reviews, it is very likely that they possess all of the qualities discussed so far in this guide.

A quality surgeon knows that patient testimonials are a fantastic tool to earn the trust of a new patient. So, they will never try to hide this information from you or the public.

Furthermore, a great surgeon will also be able to show you before and after photos of their past work on patients. That way, you won’t have to take their word about their skills— you’ll be able to see proof of their results!

10. A Quality Surgeon Researches and Practices New Skills and Techniques

The medical field is constantly changing, evolving, and improving. So, you must find a plastic surgeon who is always up to date with the latest and most innovative techniques. They should know of and understand new technologies, procedures, and treatments in their field.

After all, innovations in medicine make procedures more accurate and efficient. From better results in surgery to less scarring, working with a surgeon who knows the latest techniques can bring you better results.

So, the best plastic surgeons out there strive to always be up to date with the latest medical findings in order to provide you with the best possible care and results.

Great plastic surgeons will always be willing to learn new skills in order to become better at what they do. They should also be willing to train their team so that everyone involved in your care can provide you and other patients with the best possible experience.

11. A Quality Surgeon Establishes Trust

Getting surgery is a very vulnerable situation. So, you must be able to completely trust whoever is performing it. A top plastic surgeon will always go above and beyond to establish trust and reduce your anxiety regarding the procedure.

They will always reassure you, validate your feelings and concerns, and keep you well informed. Furthermore, they will encourage questions, explain all jargon and terminology, and avoid behaviors and language that might cause you to feel stressed about the procedure.

Finally, a quality plastic surgeon will never make you feel judged. They will do everything they can to ensure you leave their office with your desired results.

Find a Plastic Surgeon With All These Qualities

Although getting plastic surgery is very common, finding the right plastic surgeon to perform your procedure is key to getting the best overall experience.

A great plastic surgeon will always have your best interests at heart. They will also be professional, empathetic, honest, and have the necessary documentation to practice medicine. They will never make you feel stupid for asking questions and having concerns, and they will always go above and beyond to ensure you get the best possible results and experience.

Are you looking for a surgeon that has all of these characteristics? Contact us today to book an appointment with Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker!