Top Questions to Ask Your Prospective Surgeon

Undergoing plastic surgery is a big decision, not something to enter into lightly. And, just
like any major decision in your life, you do not want to dive in without first doing your
homework. That means not only knowing what’s involved in the procedure and how to
prepare for recovery but also doing some in-depth research on the surgeon you have
chosen and the facility where the procedure will be done

Once you have made a list of doctors from your recommendations and online searches,
you should make a short list of the ones that are your favorites and schedule a few
consultations! Make sure you ask your prospective surgeons a few specific questions:

1. “Have you done a fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery?” This question will help you to weed out doctors who just did a weekend course in some procedure but don’t have thorough formal training and experience in plastic surgery.
2. “Are you board certified or board eligible for the American Board of Plastic Surgery?” This will tell you if the doctor has undergone specific training in plastic surgery. This ensures that your surgeon has been properly trained according to the American Board of Medical Specialties.
3.  “How many of these procedures have you done?” This question will give you an idea of the level of experience the doctor has in the specific procedure you are considering. For common procedures such as breast augmentation and tummy tucks you would expect a number in the hundreds. Doctors who have performed fewer procedures are not necessarily less competent. They may be new to the profession and therefore have not amassed a large number of procedures but are still technically competent.
4. “Do you operate at an accredited surgery center or hospital?” Make sure that your surgical procedure isn’t being done in the back room of an office. To be performed under the safest possible condition, a plastic surgery operation must be done in a hospital or an accredited surgical facility. There are five organizations that certify facilities as safe for conducting surgery: state certification, AAAHC, AAAASF, Medicare, and JCAHO.
5. “Do you have privileges to do this procedure at a hospital?” Hospitals have high standards and will do some of the vetting for you. If the hospital doesn’t give a doctor privileges to do a procedure, it means that, for some reason, that doctor was deemed not properly trained or qualified to do the procedure.

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Learn more about what you should expect in my new book, “Making the Cut” available for purchase on Amazon.

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