Tips For Selecting A Cosmetic Surgeon

By Soheila Rostami, MD

Selecting a surgeon for a cosmetic procedure is a choice you live with for years, if not your entire life. That is why it is so important to find a doctor who will help guide you and provide you the results you are seeking.

Finding a highly experienced and board-certified cosmetic surgeon is critical to getting the results you desire. Unfortunately, many people simply assume that doctors are qualified to perform the procedures they advertise, but that fact is thatthe government does not require a surgeon to be specifically trained in the procedures they offer.This problem is most acute in the area of cosmetic surgery, as many doctors with general surgery or other medical training hop on the cosmetic surgery bandwagon in pursuit of greater profits.

It is also important to be sure your board-certified cosmetic surgeon has plenty of experience in the specific procedure you plan to have. You should ask how they trained in the procedure you are considering, how long they have been performing that procedure, and how many times they have performed that type of procedure. A board-certified cosmetic surgeon should answer these questions without hesitation.

We all know that what one person finds beautiful may be unattractive to another. This is why it is also important to find a surgeon who shares your aesthetic sensibility. You'll need to look carefully at the results for each surgeon you interview. Even asking to speak directly to the cosmetic surgeon's past patients can be helpful.

For facial procedures, look for patients who had a similar facial structure, are around your age, and had some of the same concerns, whether it's a sagging neck or prominent bags under their eyes.

It is also important to remember that you're going to be spending quite a bit of time with your cosmetic surgeon both before and after surgery. You need to feel very comfortable with your cosmetic surgeon and their support team.

Throughout the process of selecting and having your procedure, you want to be sure you are being served and treated well. Some of that will be obvious a few minutes after you walk in the door of the cosmetic surgeon's office.

By doing your research, asking lots of questions and following “your gut,” you will greatly improve the odds that the experience and outcomes of your surgery match your expectations.