Choosing a good plastic surgeon is a fundamental part of your plastic surgery journey, affecting your safety and satisfaction. With many surgeons in the market, finding the best one can be overwhelming. Here are six mistakes to avoid when selecting a qualified surgeon, so you shouldn’t go into the list of plastic surgery disasters.
Overlooking Credentials
Plastic surgery is life-changing, whether you want a facelift or a rhinoplasty, and the last thing you want is a botched surgery. As such, you need a trained, experienced, and certified surgeon like Joel Aronowitz, MD, to conduct the procedure for the best results. The surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and have years of experience in the procedure you want.
Settling for the Lowest Bidder
Do not choose a plastic surgeon based on cost alone. Keep off any surgeon with a severely discounted rate because they may compromise on crucial aspects of the procedure, such as safety. The surgeon may use outdated equipment, operate in a non-accredited facility, or lack trained support staff. A good surgeon combines academic and surgical expertise and a competitive cost. Instead of opting for an overly cheap surgeon, enquire about available financing options.
Disregarding Before and After Photos
Surgeons are not equal, and each has a unique sense of beauty. Therefore, ask a potential surgeon for before and after photos to determine if their aesthetic style matches yours. These photos, especially of clients with a body type and size similar to yours, shed light on the surgeon’s skill and expected results. Beware of surgeons who don’t have photos of previous work; they may be inexperienced in the procedure.
Not Getting a Second Opinion
Getting your dream procedure, like a tummy tuck or male breast reduction, can be exciting. You may want the procedure performed promptly by the first surgeon you come across. However, it is best practice to consult with several surgeons about your procedure of choice to select the best one.
Ignoring Surgeon Personality
Plastic surgery is not a one-off process. It is a relationship you establish with a plastic surgeon from the consultation to conducting the procedure and recovery period. As a result, you want a surgeon with a vibrant personality and excellent people skills; professional, empathetic, trustworthy, approachable, and available. Performing a background check and reading online reviews and customer testimonials can help you identify the surgeon’s character and patient service.
Not Asking Questions
A good plastic surgeon encourages you to ask questions about your procedure of interest to ensure it is the right one for you. Do not choose a surgeon who does not answer questions thoroughly or rushes you into surgery. While there’s no blueprint of the questions to ask your surgeon, focus on procedure benefits, the type of anesthetic used, recovery period, potential risks and complications, and procedure duration.
Working with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon is essential for optimal safety and success when considering plastic surgery. Choosing the right surgeon can be the difference between a satisfactory plastic surgery experience and a botched one with lifelong corrective procedures and heartaches.