What to Look For When Selecting a Plastic Surgeon

When you’re interested in changing an aspect of your body through plastic surgery, safety and high-quality results are high up on your list of priorities. Selecting a good plastic surgeon is the first step in ensuring a good outcome from any plastic surgery procedure.

There are many things to consider when selecting a plastic surgeon, including their qualifications, experience, professional record, and behavior. Hurrying through the process can be a big mistake, so make sure to take your time considering these aspects.

Qualifications

Always look for a surgeon who is board-certified in plastic surgery. Your plastic surgeon should be certified by The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a professional organization dedicated to maintaining the safety and quality standards of plastic surgery.

What exactly is board certification? Board certification specifies that the doctor has undergone general as well as specialized training. A plastic surgeon who has received board certification will have undergone general surgical training for a few years, as well as a minimum of two to three years of training in plastic surgery. They will also have passed several oral and written tests on a multitude of subjects.

Board-certified doctors will have studied in accredited medical schools and will have performed surgeries in state-licensed surgical facilities. Certification boards also ensure that their surgeons continue with their medical education by learning new techniques and brushing up on existing knowledge.

You can ask the surgeons about their board certification during your initial consultations, and it is also important that the surgeons you are considering have mentioned their certification on their website.

Experience

Plastic surgery is a vast field. Your plastic surgeon must have a great deal of experience in the procedure you are seeking to undergo. Plastic surgeons performing breast surgeries won’t necessarily also perform facelifts or nose surgeries, as these surgeries are entirely different.

It also is important to consider the number of years of experience a plastic surgeon has with performing the procedure you are interested in. For complex surgeries like a facelift, you will want a very experienced surgeon performing your surgery.

Professional Record

Always check beforehand if plastic surgeons you are considering have had any malpractice judgments or cases against them. If you see gaps in their professional record or anything suspicious, it’s best to look for a new surgeon.

Behavior

You need to feel comfortable with your plastic surgeon. Unless you are able to openly discuss your aesthetic requirements with your doctor, you cannot expect the desired surgical outcomes. If a doctor is not open to answering your surgical queries, it’s time to consider another doctor.

Also consider the behavior of the staff at the plastic surgeon’s medical facility. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable with a surgeon or his support staff, trust your instincts.

Meet Dr. Miranda

Dr. Edward Miranda is a highly skilled board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience and numerous satisfied patients. Contact our office today to schedule an informative consultation with our San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Miranda, who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.