How to select the right plastic surgeon?

Look for credentials and references
You will reach a point when you have done all your research about a procedure online, talked to people who have had the same procedure, and figured out how to finance it. Then you will need to take the final step - find the plastic surgeon that you want to work with. It is the most important decision because, despite most surgeries being extremely safe, you still do not want to take chances.  (Related:  How to select a plastic surgery clinic abroad?)

So how do you decide? 

Dr. John Grossman who has been practicing aesthetic plastic surgery for more than 30 years, offers these five questions consumers should consider when searching for a safe and credible plastic surgeon:
  1. Is the surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
  2. Is the surgeon credentialed to perform your procedure at any local hospitals?
  3. Can the surgeon provide examples of past work and put you in contact with former patients, excluding office staff?
  4. Are the surgeon's prices dramatically lower than other plastic surgeons'?
  5. Has the surgeon clearly articulated risk factors and expected results?

If a surgeon shows you a plaque on the wall saying he or she is board certified in cosmetic surgery, "Walk out the door," Grossman said. "There is no such board." To become certified in plastic surgery, a surgeon must have completed a residency in plastic surgery, been in practice for at least two years, have passed several written and oral exams, as well as submitted examples of his/her work to the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  (Related:  Plastic surgery in Hollywood)

Picture of the pre-op and patient recovery area inside a clinic.If the surgeon intends on performing an in-office procedure but has not been granted privileges to perform the same procedure in a hospital, Grossman suggests you look elsewhere. Hospitals can be very useful to consumers looking to verify a physician's credentials. If local hospitals don't feel that your surgeon is qualified to perform that procedure, neither should you.  (Related:  Plastic surgery tips from Joan Rivers)

Your surgeon should be able to show you examples of work on patients with cases similar to yours. A well-respected plastic surgeon will have no problem putting you in contact with former patients who've undergone the same procedures and can attest to the surgeon's skill and character. So do not be fooled by just looking at before and after photos of patients (those photos can be downloaded from the Internet and can be airbrushed for effect). Only real patients can tell you their experiences and the results they achieved.  Cost, while an important factor in choosing a cosmetic surgeon, should not be the only factor. Fees can vary, but deeply discounted surgeries can end up costing much more in the long run when you include surgical revisions and possible life threatening complications.  "Plastic surgery is not witchcraft," Grossman said. "It has its limitations. If a surgeon boasts the ability to remove every inch of fat from your body and take 30 years off of your appearance, that surgeon isn't being entirely candid and realistic. The most common reason patients are dissatisfied with their results is because the patient and doctor did not adequately understand one another, or have the same expectations."

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