A report from the American Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery shows the number of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures has increase to nearly 11.9 million procedures performed in the United States in 2004. This is a 44 percent increase for the prior year.
At the top of the non-surgical cosmetic list was the popular wrinkle-erasing injections of Botox and Liposuction was the most popular surgical procedure performed.
With the ever increasing number of reality television shows and media coverage on plastic surgery, how does a patient find the right doctor? Dr. Paul Nassif of Beverly Hills has compiled a Top 10 List on how to select the right surgeon.
1) There are many types of cosmetic surgeons. Be sure the specialist you choose is board certified and an expert in the type of surgery you desire. If you desire a facelift, make sure that is part of the physician’s expertise. If you’re interested in cosmetic surgery of the face, you should consider a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon. If you desire body work, you should consider a Board Certified General Plastic Surgeon. Find out the number of procedures they have performed.
2) Make sure the surgeon shows you before and after photographs of the procedures they have performed and allows you to talk with a former patient. Does the patient look natural? Are there minimal scars?
3) Check the surgeon’s credentials. Find out where they have hospital privileges. Find out where they did their medical training. Are they recommended by other physicians, patients or mentioned in the media as an expert?
4) Can you communicate with the physician? Do they appear concerned and caring? Do you like their personality?
5) Were you made aware of the physician’s redo rate. Ask about their complication rate. Check with the state board of medical quality assurance to see if malpractice suits have been filed against them.
6) Does the doctor explain the risks and benefits of the procedure? Do they take time with you to go over the fine details of the surgery? Beware of a surgeon who just says “they’ll take care of you and you’ll be fine”. The surgeon needs to perform a thorough and efficient pre-op.
7) Check to see if the surgery center is credentialed (State licensed, Medicare Certified). What is the appearance of the center? Is it clean and does the office staff assist you? Are you treated like a person, not a patient, and are comfortable with the surroundings?
8) Does the physician discuss after care and how they and their office staff will assist you during recovery? Do you feel the procedure and recovery time were explained in sufficient detail? Telling the patient how good they will look is not enough.
9) Were you given a complete written quote of the cost of the procedure to take home with you?
10) Does the physician employ a board certified anesthesiologist to work with them or someone who is not a medical doctor.
