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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.
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