Perhaps the hardest part of undergoing plastic surgery is selecting the right doctor. PerfectYourself enhanced images are helpful in giving you an extra tool to help you communicate during a consultation with a surgeon, but that is only the very beginning of what you need to do. In addition to finding out whether the doctor understands what it is you are looking for, you must understand the doctor's qualifications to do the job. Here are some of the things to consider:

Most importantly, check for proper credentials. Incredibly, anyone who has a license to practice medicine can call himself (for simplicity the masculine pronoun will be used in this particular aritcle) a plastic surgeon; and some physicians with other specialties are very quick to do this. Be sure to choose a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Ask to see his diploma from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. No other diploma will suffice. Practitioners calling themselves "cosmetic surgeons" or "facial plastic surgeons" simply do not have the same training a board certified plastic surgeon has. And if he is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it is even better, as he has gone through an additional peer review process that examines ethics and integrity. Other factors may also influence your decision, but they are far from infallible. For example, while academic titles are always impressive, they are not guaranteed to reflect surgical skill. Some professors are excellent teachers but fall way short in the operating room. Being chief of plastic surgery at a hospital may be impressive, but all too often the title may have more to do with politics than actual ability. Prices are another guide. Be particularly wary of surgeons who offer their services for very low fees, because this usually translates as an urgent need for business. Reputation is important, too. Some people feel that the best surgeons are the most well known; and in many cases they are. But younger doctors with less experience may be just as good. Referral by another doctor is often a way to find a competent surgeon, but sometimes you may simply be sent to the doctor's friend or medical school classmate. A recommendation from one of the surgeon's former patients is usually a strong indication that the doctor is good, but does not assure that he is consistent. Many doctors retain public relations agents to get them featured in newspapers and magazines and to put them on television. This is completely ethical; but remember that such an appearance might not mean the doctor is competent, just that he has a good PR agent. Advertising is also considered ethical, but again, buyer beware. Since there are lots of plastic surgeons advertising, it is easy to find several to visit. This is also true of finding someone through the Internet. Don't be fooled by the best looking web site. Which brings us to the most important point: However you find a doctor, it is advisable that you do what many prospective patients already do — consult with more than one plastic surgeon before deciding who will do your surgery. This is a very good practice as it allows you to get a variety of opinions about how to treat your problem. It permits you to learn a great deal about the subject. More importantly, it lets you make judgments and it gives you a choice. When you meet the doctor, start to make judgments right away. He too should be neat and well dressed. If he looks sloppy, his surgery may be too. Is he personable? Does he speak with authority? Does he give you all the time you need to discuss your problem? Is this someone you feel you can trust? The answers should all be "yes." He should be very informative, telling you of the various options and approaches to your problem and why he thinks one of them is the best. Ask how many times he has done the proposed operation. He should fully explain the surgical procedure and the post-operative recovery period. Most importantly, he should discuss the limitations of the procedure and its risks and possible complications. If he doesn't tell you the risks, don't let him operate on you. Ask to see pre and post-operative pictures of patients on whom he has done the same operation. Of course you will see only his best results, but if these aren't very good, find someone else.

So in the final analysis, there is no surefire means of finding the best available plastic surgeon. PerfectYourself helps by giving you and the surgeon a place to communciate your most basic ideas very early in the process, using the Internet's advantages. But you will usually have to judge your doctor in the preoperative meeting. If you feel comfortable with his knowledge, honesty and his willingness to spend time with you; if he answered all your questions; if you liked the photographs of his results; if you liked his office and his staff; and if you liked his general demeanor, then you can probably trust him to work with utmost skill during the surgery.