Face Facts When Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

March 15, 2005

Common sense and research gets the job done.

The world of advertising and public relations has brought physicians' names to the public on a continuing basis. Ten years ago if a doctor called himself a plastic surgeon, the patient knew precisely what that term meant. Recently, doctors in various sub-specialties such as dermatologists, gynecologists, ophthalmologists, and even dentists are performing plastic surgery procedures. This can leave prospective patients utterly confused about how to find the best and most qualified surgeons.

Dr. Donald Kress, M.D., P.A., F.A.C.S., board certified plastic surgeon with practices in Frederick, MD, wonders, "how is a prospective patient to know who is a diligent, excellent, caring physician and who is a charlatan?" Dr. Kress wants to disseminate information the public can use and heed as caution when selecting a plastic surgeon in a country now brimming with doctors who call themselves "plastic surgeons."

The first step to choosing a plastic surgeon is to develop a list of names. There are several sources, some being better than others. Confer with friends who have undergone plastic surgery for the names of their surgeons, or ask your family physician. Hospitals are also a great source; ask for the names of plastic surgeons on staff. Also, The Plastic Surgery Information Service of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) offers a search for plastic surgeons by name, state, or zip code by calling toll free, 1-800-635-0635.

Once you have composed a good list of plastic surgeons, you should check their credentials, as this will make you an informed consumer. More important than where a surgeon went to school is the type of training they have received. You want to be sure that the surgeon completed an accredited residency program specifically in plastic surgery. The American Medical Association (AMA) lists where and what type of training a physician has undergone: http://dbapps.amaassn.org/iwcf/iwcfmgr206/aps?18817608/.

A physician performing plastic surgery should also be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Although board certification is not the only measure of professional competence, it indicates that the doctor has completed the necessary education and experience to bear this distinction. Beware of those physicians who are "board certified," but not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). It is also important to ensure the doctor is affiliated with a hospital.

The initial consultation with a doctor is another key step in assessing if you have found the right plastic surgeon for you. It is important to develop a good rapport with the surgeon. During the consultation, the doctor will evaluate you as a candidate for surgery. But, this is also a chance for you to evaluate the surgeon. The surgeon should answer all of your questions and address each of your concerns. Remember, this is your chance to express any doubts and ask questions about the procedure.

Here are some more good questions to consider asking the surgeon:

• How long is the estimated operating time?
• What is the expected recovery time?
• Where will the surgery be performed- in a surgical center or hospital?
• What kind of anesthesia will be used?
• Will postoperative medication be necessary?
• Will there be any noticeable scarring?
• What realistic results can I expect?
• Will the doctor be performing the procedure from first cut to last stitch?
• What are the risks associated with this procedure?

Today there are tons of websites devoted to helping you find a plastic surgeon. Certain websites only refer surgeons who are board certified, whereas others do not. It can be easy to overlook this detail when performing your search, but it is extremely important to keep this in mind.