Cosmetic SurgeryOur PhysiciansSelecting a Plastic Surgeon Printer Friendly Page

The process of selecting a plastic surgeon is not one to be taken lightly. While there are a few things that are up to personal opinion and individual comfort level, there are a certain things that you should always look for and insist upon.

• Training: always look for a plastic surgeon who has completed an accredited residency program specifically in plastic surgery. This means that they have completed at least five years of surgical training including two or three years of intensive training in plastic/reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.
  
  
• Board Certification: always look for a doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This ensures the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional training. Physicians are required to pass intense written and oral exams, and have practiced for two years prior to earning this certification.
  
  
• Experience: Look for a surgeon who has a reasonable amount of experience doing the procedure you have selected. There is no hard or fast rule about years of experience, but find someone who is up-to-date on the procedure you wish to undergo.
  
  
• Referrals: Ask people you know who have had plastic surgery for the name of their physician. Ask your primary care physician, other doctors, nurses and health care practitioners. You can also call the The Plastic Surgery Information Service of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The toll free number is: 1-888-475-2784. Surgeons in their database are members of the Society, adhere to a strict code of ethics and are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
  
  
• Interview and consultation: You are asking a plastic surgeon to do a very important job. You are hiring them to enhance your physical appearance. You should carefully consider who you select. Be sure to pick someone with whom you can communicate easily and are confident has the appropriate training and background. Trust your instincts and be absolutely sure that the person you chose is someone you are completely at ease with and can talk to candidly.
  
  
• Listen to the warning signs: If a surgeon doesn't have hospital privileges for the procedure you'd like, is certified only in an completely unrelated specialty or has completed a residency only in a completely unrelated specialty, is unwilling to answer all your questions, is curt or makes you feel uncomfortable, pressures you to go ahead with this or any other plastic surgery, or has an unclean or unprofessional appearance, you may want to consider going to a different doctor.

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