How Do I Know I Chose the Right Plastic Surgeon?

by Dr. Steven Wallach

When you’re about to go under the knife, you want to ensure that you have chosen the right surgeon. Although cosmetic procedures might not put your life on the line like other more medical surgeries might, they do put your beauty on the line, and for some that is just as important. Therefore, choosing a plastic surgeon is a very important process that involves asking a lot of questions.

Are You Board Certified?

The very first question you should ask a potential plastic surgeon is whether or not they are board certified. Check all of their credentials. Make sure they are trained and ask to see the proof that they are certified. Make sure the are truly qualified. In a similar vein, ask around to check the surgeon’s record. Have their been any lawsuits or disciplinary actions? Are reviews generally positive? What were the results of any and all surgeries and disciplinary actions. This might seem like a lot of research, but it is worth it to make sure that you are safe and have a quality surgery.

Do You Have Hospital Privileges?

Not only does the presence of hospital privileges corroborate your findings about your surgeon being certified and reliable (hospitals do background checks and would only let qualified surgeons have privileges), but if a surgeon has hospital privileges, that means you have somewhere to go if complications arise. Many surgeries are performed in clinics on an outpatient procedure basis, but if something goes wrong, you want to have access to the hospital.

Do You Have Experience Doing This Procedure?

Once you know that you will be safe in their hands, it’s time to find out if you can become beautiful in their hands. They may be certified, but how many rhinoplasties have they performed? Ask to see some of their work—examples of your specific procedure. Ask to talk to previous patients. Make sure you know that he or she is fully qualified to give you the look you want. You should also feel free to ask a surgeon any other questions you want the answers to about any topic, including anesthesia, cost, location, etc. If you can’t communicate or get along with your surgeon, that is a red flag.