Although plastic surgery was once seen as something that that mostly celebrities and models did, no longer is that the case. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were close to 15 million cosmetic procedures that were performed in 2012 with the most popular ones including breast augmentation, nose reshaping, liposuction, facelift and eyelid surgery. Out of that number, 12 million were women and 6.8 million individuals were between the ages of 40-54. So, if you’re someone who’s been thinking about having a cosmetic procedure done, as you can see, you are not alone.
But in order to make sure that you choose a plastic surgeon that will do an impressive (and also affordable) job, we wanted to provide you with five things that you should consider before selecting one below:
Look for someone who comes highly referred. If you happen to have a family member, friend or co-worker who has undergone a cosmetic surgery procedure and they have spoken highly of their experience, you might want to start by meeting with that particular plastic surgeon. Oftentimes the best ones are the professionals who come highly referred by others.
Make sure they are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. No matter who you are thinking about using, it’s important that they are board-certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). That way, you know that they have the training needed to operate within their specialty. It’s also a good idea to inquire if they have a membership with the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). The membership is offered by invitation-only and signifies that they have extensive experience with cosmetic surgery.
Ask about how often they have done the procedure that you want. Even if they are board-certified and have an ASAPS membership, it’s still a good idea to ask them how often they’ve done the procedure that you’re considering and if they have a portfolio that will afford you the opportunity to view their work. If you’re thinking about trying a new technique, discuss with them the potential risk hazards and any published works that they have about the advantages and disadvantages that come along with it.
See if there is a good rapport. Say that someone refers you to the a surgeon by the name of Dr. Ronald J. Johnson. When you meet with him for your first consultation, pay attention to the kind of interaction the both of you have. When you choose someone to perform surgery on you, it definitely needs to be an individual that you feel you can trust; someone that you have a good rapport with. So, don’t pressure yourself into going with a plastic surgeon just on their qualifications alone. Make sure that you feel totally comfortable in their space as well.
Discuss the costs. Although cosmetic surgery is seen by many as a truly worthwhile investment, it’s definitely not one that comes cheap, especially being that not all of them are covered by insurance. That’s why it’s also important that you discuss how much the procedure will cost and if there are payment plans available (there usually are). For more information on cosmetic surgery prices, visit Smart Plastic Surgery and put “average total costs” in the search field.
