The best plastic surgeons will demonstrate certain desirable attributes which help to easily distinguish them from less qualified aesthetic specialists. While there is no way to be completely certain that a particular surgeon is the very best for your chosen procedure, learning to identify the attributes which differentiate quality doctors, from their inferior rivals, will certainly help to narrow down your selection process.
This discussion will detail the great diversity of personal and professional criteria that can be used to rate plastic surgeons, from a patient’s point of view.
Best Plastic Surgeons Credentials
Most of the world’s best plastic surgeons are board certified by legitimate and reputable governing medical organizations. These organizations and medical boards ensure strict quality control among their member physicians through stringent educational requirements and extensive testing prior to certification.
It is easy to check the credentials of any board certified plastic surgeon by simply logging into the data base of members for their governing medical board. Any surgeon who can gain entry to a respected medical board has proven to their peers that they have what it takes to successfully represent their industry. Being that plastic surgery is an industry under constant scrutiny, this is no easy task.
Plastic Surgeon Education and Training
It is always advisable to ask a doctor where they were educated and what type of residency and fellowship training they have completed. You might also ask them what forms of specialized training they have received and whether or not they are experienced in performing your chosen operation.
Ask the doctor to see before and after photos of their work on actual patients and make sure to look for small details such as scarring, symmetry and overall aesthetic appeal.
If you are unfamiliar with any institution listed as an educational resource, take the time to research it online, at your convenience. This investigative process will help you determine the quality of the educational background of any plastic surgeon.
The Best Plastic Surgeons Provide the Best Results
The most important of all qualifications a surgeon can offer is an excellent postoperative result. Direct recommendations from former patients are always a good method of determining a surgeon’s quality.
While one endorsement might not hold much weight, dozens, or even hundreds, of positive experiences are a good indicator of a quality professional who fulfills the body image needs of their clients.
Ask your doctor if it is possible to talk to a former patient who had undergone a procedure identical to yours. Any experienced doctor should have a long list of loyal and thankful former patients who will be happy to endorse their work.
Determining the Best Aesthetic Surgeons
Many doctors will create their own hype. They talk about how they have individual approaches which make them special and distinct from other care providers. If these doctors also have an army of faithful supporters verifying these claims, you can be sure that they are telling the truth.
If you are unsure of a doctor’s reputation and can not find anyone who will endorse them, you are probably best off looking elsewhere to find a good surgeon. Plastic and cosmetic surgeons enjoy some of the best patient loyalty in the medical industry and many patients consider their doctor a friend and a necessity.
Understand that the best surgeons might charge more and will usually have longer waiting lists for treatment. This is normal and expected for the best in any industry. Paying a little more, and waiting a little longer, are both small prices to pay to ensure that your surgical results will be the finest possible.