How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon – The Comprehensive Guide

In this guide, we will be looking at qualifications and experience, but also beyond that to better understand how to choose the surgeon that’s right for you. A surgeon must be able to relate to you as a person, not just see you as a potential patient who is interested in undergoing a procedure.

You must be able build a rapport with your surgeon and he or she should inspire confidence in you that they can deliver what you want to achieve.

Your relationship with the surgeon you use must be built on trust. You will need to be open and honest at all times if you are to be happy with your results.

What am I Looking for When Researching Plastic Surgeons?

One of the first things you need to do when choosing a practitioner to perform the plastic surgery you are interested in is to not rush into the decision. As noted above, you need to make sure you choose the best cosmetic surgery specialist possible.

Don’t just rush into it and choose the first clinic or plastic surgeon you come across. Start by asking yourself some key questions:

• Do you like and feel completely comfortable with the surgeon?
• Has he or she been honest with you?
• Do you have a good positive feeling that you can trust this person 100% and feel safe and secure with them?
• Have you had an open, frank and honest discussion about every aspect of your surgery?

Any good surgeon will spend time trying to understand why you want the surgical treatment in the first place and should want to make sure you are in good health.

If the surgeon doesn’t ask you about your motivations for undergoing surgery, then you should avoid proceeding any further and search for another surgeon. After all, you are an individual and should be assessed and treated as one.

Which Questions Should I Ask my Cosmetic Surgeon?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is only natural to have concerns. The consultation appointment should be seen as an information gathering experience, as much as it is arranging the logistics for your cosmetic surgery.

There are a number of questions to ask your surgeon which include:

• How long have they been practising as a plastic surgeon?
• How many plastic surgery procedures have they performed in total?
• How many of the particular plastic surgery procedure you are interested in have they performed?
• What kind of training and qualifications do you have?
• Am I a suitable candidate for this procedure?
• Will it improve the quality of life I have?
• What level of discomfort and/or pain can I expect to experience from the procedure?
• What kind of anaesthetic or pain relief will be used before, during and after the treatment?
• What are common risks of the procedure?
• How will they manage if something went wrong?
• What steps will they take to minimise the risk?
• How much is the procedure going to cost and will it cost more to have additional appointments and treatments?
• How many appointments/treatments are required?
• How long will each appointment take?
• How long does the recovery process take?
• How soon after the procedure will the results be visible?

The results you are likely to experience and the possible complications, risks and side effect are an especially important part of the surgeon/patient communication. It is therefore vital that this is discussed during the consultation.

I always say to my patients that I cannot guarantee nothing will go wrong or you will not have complications. The only promise I can make is that I will always be there to sort it out.

You can ask if there is an alternative way to have the procedure you desire that may potentially carry less risk? For instance, are there any non-invasive cosmetic treatments that will offer the same or very similar results, with less problems?

A good surgeon will explain if there are any other options available to you.

How do I check a plastic surgeon’s credentials?

In reality, you are putting your future in your surgeon’s hands so you must be able to explore all avenues and issues you may have, including seeking consultations with other surgeons.

A confident surgeon may well recommend or encourage this, to ensure you feel completely happy with your choice and that you have investigated all the other options.

It is also important to check whether the surgeon who is going to carry out the procedure you desire is registered with the General Medical Council. You can find out more information here.

Additionally, there are a variety of other registers that the surgeon may be listed on, if they have experience or qualifications in a specialist area, such as:

• Royal College of Surgeons: Certified Cosmetic Surgeons
• BAPRAS – British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons
• BAAPS – British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
• FRCS – Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons

You should also check whether or not there are reports held by the Care Quality Commission or CQC on any clinic or practitioner you are interested in. This is a regulator that operates independently to make sure health services are carried out to a high standard in England.

You can check whether they are registered with the CQC by asking the practice directly or checking the CQC directory.

Potential Red Flags and Things You Need to Avoid

When choosing a surgeon or clinic to perform the plastic surgery you desire, there are some red flags and things you need to avoid. Never pay for cosmetic surgery if:

• The clinic or individuals offering the procedure only have a social media page and no official website
• The practice or individual surgeons are offering mobile services that are performed out of surgery in hotels or private homes
• Vouchers for treatments offered on either group voucher or discount sites
• Treatments are offered as part of a group or at events and social gatherings or conferences where alcohol is involved

Posted In: General Blogs

Written By: Dr Azhar Aslam