You can likely find several plastic surgeons in your city, which can make it hard to narrow down your choices.
What makes your search even harder is that you might not know what all the qualifications mean.
Get an idea of some of the terms you will likely see as you search for a doctor.
Licensure is just one process you need to make sure your doctor has gone through.
In fact, it is a basic necessity for anyone practicing medicine in this country.
In addition, the process is public, so you can always see whether a doctor has been issued a license and if it has ever been taken away.
Since licensing is necessary in all medical specialties, you will see that both plastic surgeons and other types of doctors are simply listed as licensed in the medical field.
Of course, if you want the best chance of great results for your cosmetic surgery procedure, you need to look for more than a license since you have no idea how much practice each doctor has in this field.
This is where board certification comes in.
You should make sure the plastic surgeons you are considering are properly certified in cosmetic surgery since this qualification focuses on specialties.
Therefore, you would not want to hire a board certified dermatologist or pediatrician for your cosmetic treatment, unless of course he or she is also certified in this particular field.
Certification lets you know the doctor has taken and passed exams testing him or her on the skills necessary in a specialty.
In addition, doctors who are board certified have to complete continuing education credits in order to keep their certification, which means you can rest assured they stay updated on the most current information in this field.
Another qualification to seek in plastic surgeons is accreditation.
This shows you that the license and certification have both stayed intact, meaning that disciplinary issues and unethical behaviors have not been reported.
In addition, many doctors who seek to become accredited have to adhere to certain high standards that may include taking action to increase patient satisfaction and financing options.
Clearly, it makes sense to look for a surgeon with accreditation if you want some peace of mind.
Fortunately, you should be able to find at least a few plastic surgeons near you with these qualifications.
Once you do, you can further narrow down your list by setting up consultations, reading reviews, and getting price estimates.
This should allow you to feel confident in your choice when you finally choose a surgeon.