SELECTING A PLASTIC SURGEON

The quest for a more youthful physique along with a desire for greater confidence and well-being drives people of all ages and backgrounds to consider cosmetic surgery. As innovation in this complex field advances, it can be more and more difficult to identify and distinguish the characteristics of the right kind of surgeon for your procedure. Doctors of varying skill, specialty and experience have ventured into the cosmetic market. They are backed by powerful advertising campaigns that can both entice and confuse the first-time client. Potential risks run high when considering cosmetic surgery: aesthetically, medically and financially. That is why it is so important to devote time and attention when selecting a plastic surgeon for you. Below, Dr. Capizzi has compiled some of the most critical questions to ask of your surgeon.

WHAT SEPARATES YOU FROM OTHER SURGEONS?

This is a great question to ask, because a doctor will usually focus on his or her strengths in terms of technique, experience and areas of interest. It helps you to determine whether the doctor you are interviewing specializes in the particular procedure that interests you. You may find a doctor with excellent credentials that specializes in nose jobs, but that doesn’t reassure you much if you are getting breast implants. You can further break this question down to ask what the doctor does differently in terms of anesthesia, incisions or recovery. Don’t be afraid to get technical. You will be learning and gathering more information than you ever thought you could handle. Remind yourself that thanks to accessible websites like WebMD.com and MayoClinic.org, all the information you need to feel empowered is at your fingertips.

HOW MANY PROCEDURES OF THIS TYPE HAVE YOUR PERFORMED?

Again, if you are looking for a particular type of procedure, such as breast augmentation or a tummy tuck, it’s reassuring to know that your surgeon specializes in these treatments and has performed them thousands of times. The more experience a surgeon has in your particular procedure, the more versed they will be in the nuances of the particular body area to be enhanced or refined, giving you more options to choose from in terms of technique and outcome. Also, you can check online to see the number of malpractice suits or claims against a certain doctor. It’s reasonable to assume that if a surgeon has been performing liposuction for a decade with no patient complaints, that their track record indicates future success.

DO I FEEL A CONNECTION WITH THIS SURGEON AND HIS STAFF?

DO YOU BELONG TO ANY PROFESSIONAL SURGICAL ORGANIZATIONS?

(I.E., AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY)

Organizations such as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery maintain stringent entry requirements. Including minimums for number of years practicing and number of surgeries performed per year. Inclusion in such an organization is a good sign that your doctor’s professional standing is confirmed by his or her peers. Membership also indicates that your doctor has access to seminars, training and information about the latest, most advanced surgical techniques, products, skincare lines and cosmetic trends. You don’t want to find yourself getting a procedure that is no longer considered safe. Or one that you will end up repeating later with a different surgeon.

DO YOU HAVE HOSPITAL PRIVELEGES TO PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE?

Even if your procedure is performed at your doctor’s surgical suite or office, a reciprocating, privileged relationship with local hospitals and general surgeons indicates that your doctor is in good standing in their community of peers and is recognized as a member of a larger medical team. Additionally, be sure to check with your state’s health department to make sure that your doctor’s surgical facility is certified and inspected by the appropriate governing body. Look for AAAASF, JCAHO or AAAHC certifications.

WHO ADMINISTERS THE ANESTHESIA AT THE SURGICAL FACILITY?

In addition to checking your doctor’s credentials, you need to confirm that their assistants are certified, licensed and background checked. You should look for either a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) or a Board Certified Anesthesiologist.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THIS PROCEDURE?

A good doctor will spend at least an hour with you in consultation, going over your medical history, surgical history, allergies, anatomy and expectations. By the end of this meeting, you should be well informed of all the risks and possible complications associated with your procedures, as well as all the alternatives. A conscientious doctor of integrity will always choose the path of least invasiveness to accomplish your goals, meaning they will not over operate or seek to correct flaws that don’t bother you. In other words, their primary goal is to make sure the procedure is right for you and that you will be pleased with the results. If you feel pressured or manipulated in any way, it’s best to move on.

WHAT IS YOUR AESTHETIC SENSIBILITY?

Beauty is subjective, thus it is important to find a surgeon that shares your preferences and standards. The use of photographs is valuable for this. Look through the physician’s portfolio for patients who resemble you in body or face type, weight, age and background to see if you like their results. Interview former patients to see how their results have held up over time. Take a lot of pictures of yourself from different angles and in different positions to let your doctor know how you want to look from the side, front or back. Ask your surgeon if he has a particular “signature” look. The best doctor is someone who customizes his work to the individual, yet maintains consistency in the quality and aesthetic appeal of the work.