Skin Conditions: Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon

Before you decide to pursue cosmetic surgery, seek the balanced opinion of a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Obtain as much information as you can about the procedure, discuss your questions and expectations with your surgeon and carefully evaluate the credentials of the doctor and hospital (or outpatient surgical center) before you proceed.

This planning will help make you more comfortable with your decision. Talk to friends or family members who may have undergone similar cosmetic surgery to learn more about the procedure. If you don't have friends or family members who have undergone similar procedures, ask your surgeon to recommend some of his or her current or former patients who have had the same procedure you've selected. Also, it is a good idea to talk to former or current patients of the surgeon you are considering working with to get a gauge on his or her personality and methods.

Follow these tips when considering a cosmetic surgeon:

Board certified is often better. Select a doctor who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Why? This means that the doctor has completed specialized training in cosmetic surgery and has passed rigorous written and oral examinations to earn certification.
Experience counts. How long has your surgeon been performing this procedure? Is he or she using the latest technique? Has the doctor obtained special training in the use of this technique or new technology? How many procedures has the doctor performed? In general, the more experience the doctor has in performing a certain procedure, the better the results. These are all questions you should ask.
Good communication is crucial. Do you feel comfortable being open with your surgeon? Have your questions been answered to your satisfaction? Have you been informed of possible risks, side effects and recovery time associated with the cosmetic surgery? When it comes to successful cosmetic surgery results, this is often dependent on the communication between you and your surgeon. Make sure you feel comfortable with your surgeon and that you feel you can communicate openly and honestly with him or her.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Plastic Surgery.

WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic