What to Look for When Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon
When you decide to undergo a cosmetic surgery procedure, selecting your surgeon is one of the most important choices you will make. It’s crucial to find a skilled surgeon who shares your vision for the results you’re hoping to achieve. You also need a plastic surgeon who makes you comfortable and who is responsive to your questions and concerns. Here are things to keep in mind as you search for a cosmetic surgeon:
- Board Certification
The first question you should ask any plastic surgeon is if he is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification is the gold standard for plastic surgeons. Certification indicates that the surgeon has successfully completed a course of study at an accredited medical school, completed a five-year surgical residency—with at least two years of that residency devoted exclusively to plastic surgery—and passed extensive written and oral exams. Cosmetic surgeons are not required to apply for board certification to practice medicine, but this certification is a mark of excellence in the field. Dr. Joseph Perlman, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with 30 years of experience says that patients should not be influenced by advertisements alone. "There are dermatologists in Houston who perform breast augmentations and emergency room physicians performing tummy tucks among other "cosmetic surgeons". It's important to look at the doctors results, and see which board actually certified the doctor. It's important to also see if the doctor has hospital privileges because many don't have privileges to perform the procedures that they do in their own office. Also, if you were to have a complication requiring hospitalization, would this physician be able to treat you."
- Before-and-After Photos
A good cosmetic surgeon will be willing to review the results of some of his past procedures with you. Looking at before-and-after photos of the procedure you want to undergo will help you get an idea of what you can expect to achieve. Are the surgeon’s results as natural as you’d like? How many times has he performed the procedure you want? These photos will give you a feel for the work the surgeon does.
- Compassionate Consultation
You should feel at ease discussing your surgical goals and concerns with your cosmetic surgeon. Look for a surgeon who is willing to spend time addressing all of your questions and putting you at ease during your consultation. If you feel rushed or like you’re not being heard, it’s time to look for a different doctor. "My office staff and I pride ourselves in trying to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible as well as informed about their procedure" says Dr. Perlman. "Our patient satisfaction surveys reflect this. We are always striving to make the patient's experience the best that we can."
At Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre in Houston, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Joseph Perlman, is always ready to answer your questions about our procedures. Visit our website to review our before-and-after photos and call (281) 394-4167 to set up a consultation. We offer a number of cosmetic surgery procedures in our friendly, comfortable office. Find out how we can help you today.
- Loading comments...
