Choosing A
Plastic Surgeon
There are
many ways that you can gather names of plastic surgeons in your area. Friends may have
experience with a particular surgeon, your family doctor, nurse, or hospital may provide
you with a referral, or you may contact be American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) for a
referral. However, every surgery is unique, and every patient is an individual. Choosing
the right surgeon for your particular needs will involve more than simply collecting
information about certifications and procedures -- but that is an excellent place to
start.
 Checking
Credentials.
A
surgeon's good credentials can greatly increase the likelihood of a successful outcome to
your surgery. Before committing to a particular surgeon, you should find out where the
surgeon went to school, what type of training that he/she received, and whether he/she has
completed an accredited residency program in plastic surgery. Also verify that he or she
is ABPS certified. A surgeon who is "board certified" will have graduated from
an accredited medical school and completed 5 or more years of residency, generally two
years of plastic surgery residency in addition to three years of general surgery
residency. The surgeon must also have practiced for at least two years and will have
passed comprehensive written and oral exams.
Experience
and Hospital Privileges.
Many
surgeons perform procedures in their own surgical facilities, but they should still have
privileges to perform those procedures at an accredited hospital in the community in which
they practice. That hospital will then have the authority to have a body of other
physicians review and approve the surgeon's work, and has likely done so in the past as
part of their routine screening procedure. To find out whether a surgeon has hospital
privileges at a particular hospital, you can contact the surgeon's office or contact the
hospital directly. Of course, when speaking to the surgeon's officeor contact the hospital
directly. Of course, when speaking to the surgeon's office, also take the opportunity to
find out how long the surgeon has practiced and a little about his/her practice history.
The
Consultation.
The
consultation or interview is your most important tool in selecting a plastic surgeon. This
is your opportunity to discover whether you feel comfortable with the surgeon's
experience, training, fees, personality, familiarity with the procedures you are
considering, and general concern for your comfort and well-being. |
