Choosing a plastic surgeon: For some, it's as easy as getting a referral from a friend who had a great experience. For others, it's a daunting task - particularly when there is no one to seek a referral from.
Fortunately, there are some guidelines that prospective patients can follow when choosing a plastic surgeon. The following considerations should serve as a checklist:
Board Accreditation: Is the doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)? Many doctors post the claim of "board certified plastic surgeon" on their websites; however, they may be outdated or inaccurate. Board certification in another medical specialty hardly qualifies a doctor to perform your cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, so be sure that his/her certification is with the ABPS.
How can you do this? The best way for a patient choosing a plastic surgeon to be sure of a doctor's board certification is by doing independent research. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) allows the public to search doctors belonging to any of their member boards, including ABPS, by name. Simply create an account at http://www.ABMS.org.
Surgical Facilities: Often, patients are so excited about the prospect of attaining physical improvement that they fail to ask where the procedure will be performed - and this is a big mistake. When meeting with a plastic surgeon for a consultation, candidates should always inquire about the doctor's preferred surgical facility.
The safest, most reputable centers are those accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), or the Accredited Association for Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC).
Patient Testimonials: When you get to the heart of the matter, choosing a plastic surgeon is really about selecting a professional who can deliver your desired results. Like any business, physicians rely on the referrals and testimonials of their clientele - and this can be used to your advantage. Be sure to check out the patient testimonials section on each doctor's website, in addition to any before and after photos of plastic surgery,Los Angeles clinics make available.
If no photos are available on the website, it's imperative that you ask to see them during your initial consultation. Be sure to view photos of patients who have undergone any and all procedures you are considering, and confirm that they are patients of the doctor you are meeting with.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon: The Next Step
After gathering the above information, most prospective patients are equipped to make an educated decision on choosing a plastic surgeon. Should you have any further questions, be sure to ask during your initial consultation.
Fortunately, there are some guidelines that prospective patients can follow when choosing a plastic surgeon. The following considerations should serve as a checklist:
Board Accreditation: Is the doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)? Many doctors post the claim of "board certified plastic surgeon" on their websites; however, they may be outdated or inaccurate. Board certification in another medical specialty hardly qualifies a doctor to perform your cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, so be sure that his/her certification is with the ABPS.
How can you do this? The best way for a patient choosing a plastic surgeon to be sure of a doctor's board certification is by doing independent research. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) allows the public to search doctors belonging to any of their member boards, including ABPS, by name. Simply create an account at http://www.ABMS.org.
Surgical Facilities: Often, patients are so excited about the prospect of attaining physical improvement that they fail to ask where the procedure will be performed - and this is a big mistake. When meeting with a plastic surgeon for a consultation, candidates should always inquire about the doctor's preferred surgical facility.
The safest, most reputable centers are those accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), or the Accredited Association for Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC).
Patient Testimonials: When you get to the heart of the matter, choosing a plastic surgeon is really about selecting a professional who can deliver your desired results. Like any business, physicians rely on the referrals and testimonials of their clientele - and this can be used to your advantage. Be sure to check out the patient testimonials section on each doctor's website, in addition to any before and after photos of plastic surgery,Los Angeles clinics make available.
If no photos are available on the website, it's imperative that you ask to see them during your initial consultation. Be sure to view photos of patients who have undergone any and all procedures you are considering, and confirm that they are patients of the doctor you are meeting with.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon: The Next Step
After gathering the above information, most prospective patients are equipped to make an educated decision on choosing a plastic surgeon. Should you have any further questions, be sure to ask during your initial consultation.
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