There’s no shame in needing a little help to look your best. But what if you aren’t sure how to go about choosing a plastic surgeon? Here are just a few tips for finding the right doctor for the job.
1. Know What You Need
Many plastic surgeons have specialties or particular practice areas. Instead of relying on a “jack of all trades” who can’t possibly have an extensive background in a dozen different practices, find a specialist with years of experience in the procedure you want done. For example, if you want a nose job, look for someone skilled in the art of rhinoplasty.
2. Check Their Certification
There aren’t a lot of laws governing cosmetic surgery, so it’s important to find a surgeon with real, verified accreditation. Check for things like medical degrees, business licenses and certification from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS). If your surgeon lacks any or all of the above, move on to the next candidate.
3. Ask About Prices
There’s no use falling in love with a plastic surgeon if there’s no way you can afford their prices. On the flip side, if a surgeon offers procedures ridiculously cheap or below market value, that may be a sign that they aren’t entirely legitimate. Make sure you do some research to know what face lifts and tummy tucks are actually worth before you start comparing and contrasting prices.
4. Skim Their Portfolio
Everyone has different standards of beauty, so you’ll definitely want to make sure that you and your plastic surgeon are on the same page when it comes to what an attractive chin looks like. Browse their portfolios and online image galleries to see if their standards match yours. Some plastic surgeons are even willing to do facial mock-ups with new features photoshopped onto your own picture so that you’ll know exactly what the “new you” will look like.
5. Go Online
The web is a great tool for choosing a plastic surgeon. For one, you can read reviews from previous patients and make a shortlist of those who come most highly recommended. Even more importantly, you can browse social media accounts and get a “feel” for various clinics before you even step foot through their doors. Look for an organization like The Hospital Group that posts real pictures of their surgeons, offices and waiting rooms on Twitter.
6. Schedule a Consultation
At the end of the day, there’s no substitute for actually sitting down with a plastic surgeon and talking to them about what you need done. A consultation is also a great chance to tour their clinic and determine for yourself if you like what you see. Does everything look clean and orderly? Were you greeted warmly by the receptionist? Was your surgeon on time for your appointment?
These are just a few tips for choosing the right plastic surgeon. As you can see, there’s a lot to consider, so take your time and do it right. It’s better to make a slow, well-informed choice than a hasty mistake!
Stay gorgeous everyone!
