How to choose a cosmetic surgeon

How do you choose?

With so much choice it’s difficult to decide which surgeon is the best to use. Should you be guided by price, qualifications or convenience? Why not combine surgery with a holiday by going abroad for 2 weeks?

Surgery involves sharp scalpels, cutting, stitching and inserting foreign objects such as breast implants. The results are there for everybody to see. Use your common sense and go for qualifications, experience and word of mouth recommendations.

Word of mouth

Ask people you know about their cosmetic surgery. Are they satisfied with the results? Was their cosmetic surgeon pleasant and reassuring? Will they go under the knife again? If the answers are ‘yes’ you’re off to a great start in your search.

Internet

All reputable cosmetic surgeons will have web sites. A search combining “cosmetic surgeon” and “where you live” e.g. “London” will produce many results. Look at each site carefully. You want as much information as possible to read.

Ideally the website will include the surgeons picture, biography and qualifications. The different operations and procedures offered such as face lifts, breast augmentation and nose jobs should be listed with a brief explanation of each procedure.

A well constructed and informative website suggests a professional attitude and attention to detail. Along with the right qualifications it is an indication of a good surgeon.

Qualifications and expertise

It’s absolutely essential your surgeon is a fully qualified doctor, fully trained in both surgery and plastic and cosmetic surgery. You must accept nothing less. They will give you the best results and fewest complications.

Different countries have different medical regulations and qualifications but it’s not too hard to discover the information. Doing an Internet search using phrases such as “cosmetic surgery qualifications” is a great place to start.

In the USA plastic surgery specialists should be certified by the American Board of Plastic surgery. To obtain this surgeons qualify as doctors, do an internship and residency in general surgery or otolaryngology (Ear, nose and throat surgery), a further approved residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery, clinical practice for 2 years and pass written and oral exams.

This training takes at least 7 years and surgeons emerging from the end are highly qualified, highly competent plastic and cosmetic surgeons. Surgeons with this level of training achieve the most successful results. Don’t risk surgeons with lesser qualifications.

Other countries have similar training structures and good surgeons in any country will be delighted to list their qualifications and experience because they have worked long and hard to obtain them.

Finally go and see the surgeon you’ve chosen. Talk to him or her, explain what you want and why. If the surgeon listens to you, answers your questions, explains the whole procedure and inspires confidence in you then you’ve found your surgeon.