About Us
The Good Surgeon is a platform determined to help bring together reliable cosmetic surgeons and cosmetic treatment seekers. We have built a directory of trustworthy plastic / cosmetic surgeons in the United States and the United Kingdom who can help people with all kinds of cosmetic procedures. Also, TheGoodSurgeon.com serves as a blog with Tips, Latest Methods, and the News in the Cosmetic Surgery Industry.
Finding a Trustworthy Plastic or Cosmetic Surgeon: What To Do?
Plastic and cosmetic surgeons alter, restore or reconstruct the physical appearance of the human body. In today’s world, there is a major increase in the demand of these cosmetic surgery services. Some of the reasons that have driven people to opt for cosmetic surgery services include self-satisfaction, accidents, burns and congenital disabilities. An important thing to remember is that if you want excellent cosmetic surgery services, then finding a trustworthy plastic or cosmetic surgeon should be your priority. Not everyone can deliver you the results you are after and since it can impact your appearance, you certainly don’t want to take any risks.
There are a number of plastic or cosmetic surgeons to be found, but how do you choose one? Listed below are some tips that can help in finding a trustworthy plastic or cosmetic surgeon:
Find out if the surgeon is board certified
The first thing you need to look for is the doctor’s training and certification. It is possible for any practicing physician to call themselves a cosmetic surgeon or they may advertise that they can perform cosmetic surgery procedures. But, only those physicians who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) have undergone years of specialized training in plastic surgery, which includes both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. They are uniquely qualified because they have to pass rigorous exams for demonstrating their competence in the field. These plastic or cosmetic surgeons can offer superior patient care and have lower complication rates as compared to physicians without any certification.
Check their record
One of the most important things to do for finding a trustworthy plastic or cosmetic surgeon is looking into their record. You can simply visit the medical board’s website in your state to confirm that the plastic or cosmetic surgeon has the license to practice in your state. You can also check if any disciplinary action has been taken against the surgeon during their practice. All you have to do is submit a records request and this information will be provided to you.
Ensure their facility is accredited
It is required by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) that its members only operate in accredited facilities when they have to use significant anesthesia for performing a procedure. Accredited facilities are especially created surgical rooms that meet strict standards for room safety, personnel and equipment. There are some standards, which have been established by federal and state guidelines, and the facility has to adhere to them for receiving and maintaining accreditation. Three primary agencies are responsible for accrediting facilities. These include the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. (AAAHC), the Joint Commission and the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF).
Ask the surgeon about hospital privileges
One of the easiest ways for verifying the qualifications of a surgeon is to ask them if they have any hospital privileges. Finding a trustworthy plastic or cosmetic surgeon is easy this way because hospitals only grant privileges to a physician for operating within their facilities after conducting detailed background checks. Hence, if the doctor has privileges in a reputed hospital, then it is a good indication that the surgeon is qualified and has a solid reputation.
Ask plenty of questions
To find a trustworthy plastic or cosmetic surgeon, you need to ask them as many questions as you want until you are satisfied. It is crucial to know how much experience the doctor has had in the particular procedure you are interested in. Ask them how many times they have performed the procedure in question and if they have any specialized training in that area. You can also ask about anyone who will be assisting the doctor. It is also a good idea to ask them about insurance for malpractice, the techniques they will use and whether they will be able to give you the results you are after. You should also question them about whether they have had any complications with the procedure before and what steps they will take if there is an emergency.
Make sure they are a good match
Finding a trustworthy plastic or cosmetic surgeon is not a decision you can make in a few minutes or hours. You should schedule a consultation with the surgeon to make sure they are a good fit for you. Do they answer questions in a detailed manner and deal with you professionally? Do they seem rushed or are taking their time in answering your questions? Are you confident in their ability to deliver you the results you want? The personality and mannerisms of the surgeon during the consultation is a good indicator of how they will act during and post-surgery.
Be wary of bargain prices
If the pricing structure of a surgeon’s services seems too good to be true, chances are that it probably is. Cheap plastic or cosmetic surgery can become extremely expensive if complications arise or revisions are required. While the low price must be enticing, the reasons behind such pricing structures can be a major concern. The price may not include after procedure costs or may have hidden costs, the facility where the procedure is being performed may be non-compliant or outdated, the surgeon may still be in training and lack experience or the practice desperately requires new patients.
Check before and after photos
Perhaps, one of the best ways of finding a trustworthy plastic or cosmetic surgeon is to check the before and after photos they have. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Nothing can speak more about the training and ability of a surgeon than the photos of their patients who underwent the procedure you are interested in. You can ask the surgeon to provide you photos of patients in the same age group as you or those who had the same face/body type as you. This can help you see the kind of results the surgeon can offer and make it easier for you to choose a surgeon.
