How to: Finding a Plastic Surgeon That Actually Suits You

Deciding to undergo plastic or cosmetic surgery is a pretty big step to take considering it has lasting physical and mental effects. Whatever you want to get done, the only way the experience will be positive is if you’re comfortable and trusting with your doctor. Since this is your body, you need someone who will respect your boundaries, wishes, and someone who can professionally but personably advise you with the best course of action. With that being said, here are some tips to finding the perfect plastic surgeon.

1. Find a doctor who is board certified

Most plastic surgeons work outside of hospitals, like in outpatient or private office settings, so it’s important to find out if they’re certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This might be a surprise, but any licensed medical doctor can legally perform plastic surgery and advertise themselves as plastic surgeons; there’s no rule that forbids a licensed doctor from performing a procedure they weren’t formally trained in. By finding out if your plastic surgeon is board certified, it assures you that they’ve been formally trained, met the requirements, passed all the exams, and essentially know what they’re doing. As for plastic surgeons that are affiliated with a hospital, they don’t necessarily have to be certified by the board, only because they have hospital privileges.  Basically, if a doctor wants to perform a procedure, the hospital itself reviews that doctor’s training, practice, and history before allowing them to undergo the surgery. So, if you’re planning to get a procedure done outside of a hospital, have the board certification in mind. Of course, having a board-certified surgeon doesn’t guarantee top quality, it’s just a safer choice compared to a surgeon that is not board certified.

2. Research the process and read reviews

If this is your first time getting plastic surgery, it’s very important to understand the procedure so that you know what to expect. Researching what’s going to happen not only means surfing on the internet, but it also means reaching out to friends, family, or friends of friends who have had plastic surgery before, or who are healthcare professionals themselves. This way, you have a more in-depth understanding of the procedure, you’ll have an outline of what to expect, and it will also allow you to formulate more questions for your surgeon when you go to a formal consultation. Of course, Google is also your best friend. If possible, find reviews for the surgeons around your area to see what other patients had to say. If the opportunity allows it, reach out to them via email or direct message, and ask more questions if you have any! Reading reviews will save you time and will eliminate any sketchy surgeons from your list, especially if they have multiple bad reviews.

3. Ask about the procedure history

Of course, picking a plastic surgeon requires you to go out and have a couple of different consultations. At the consultation, make sure to ask about procedure history, and don’t be afraid to ask to see any before and after pictures. Ask how many years they’ve been performing the procedure you want to be done, how many years they’ve trained, and how many patients they’ve performed the procedure on. Like other jobs, the more experience someone has, the more suitable and knowledgeable they are about the job.

4. Are you comfortable?

Upon entering the office, do you feel comfortable? Is the office clean, organized, and makes you feel safe? That’s a good sign. If you’ve been to a few consultations with your surgeon and you don’t feel a trusting connection, you may want to think twice about if they’re the surgeon for you. You want to have a good, warm feeling about your plastic surgeon but also have someone who speaks realistically and professionally. If you feel pressured, awkward, and straight-up uncomfortable, try and find a new doctor. Find a doctor you click with, listen to your desires and worries, and also advise you on the pros and cons of the procedure.

5. Trust your gut

At the end of the day, the choice will be up to you, so you should trust yourself and decide what’s best for your body (and your wallet). If you’ve consulted with multiple surgeons, choose the one who makes you feel comfortable and safe—unless there wasn’t one. Sometimes, you just have to keep looking until you find the perfect surgeon; don’t feel like you have to settle for a doctor who doesn’t meet all your expectations! Plastic surgery is a lasting procedure, so take your time and find someone who has your absolute best interests in mind.

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