Plastic surgery involvesmany choices
The first and most important step is selecting a surgeon you can trust. Today, many health care providers are performing plastic surgery procedures. That does not mean, however, that they are all qualified to perform plastic surgery.When you choose a doctor who is a member of theAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can be assured that your surgeon is well qualified to perform your surgery:
- Members of theAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) are certified by theAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery.
- TheAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery is approved by theAmerican Board ofMedical Specialties to certify physicians in plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body.
- ASPSMember Surgeons are trained, experienced and qualified to perform both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures on the face and all areas of the body.
- Because many cosmetic procedures are rooted in reconstructive plastic surgery,ASPSMember Surgeons are uniquely qualified to handle your cosmetic needs.
Look for theAmerican Society of Plastic Surgery symbol
If you are contemplating have a plastic surgical procedure, educating yourself is an important first step. Review the following information to aid in your decision-making.
ASPS Member Surgeons have these outstanding qualifications
- At least 6 years of training and experience in surgery, with 3 years specifically in plastic surgery
- Trained and experienced in all plastic surgery procedures, including breast, body, face and reconstruction
- Certification by theAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery
- Operates only in accredited medical facilities
- Adheres to a strict code of ethics
- Fulfills continuing education requirements, including patient safety techniques
- Has the commitment to be your partner, working to achieve your goals together
Questions to ask your plastic surgeon
- Are you Board Certified?
- How many times have you done this procedure?
- What other medical staff will assist with the procedure?
- Where will the procedure be performed?
- Do you have hospital privileges or a certified facility in which to perform this procedure?
(and at which hospitals?) - What type of anesthesia will be used during the procedure?
- What are the risks associated with this procedure?
- Can I see multiple before and after pictures of patients on whom you have performed the same or similar procedures?
- What is the exact breakdown of fees for this procedure?
Your plastic surgeon should give you
- Complete answers to all your questions
- Time to listen to your feed back to his recommended treatment
- Other alternatives where appropriate without pressure to agree to additional procedures
- Clear answers about any risks and possible outcomes of surgery
- Full information about the procedure you are interested in
- Time for any additional questions or concerns you may have and to make your final decision
To learn more about choosing a plastic surgeon and about plastic surgical procedures, visit www.plasticsurgery.org
For more deatils please download the pdf
How To Choose A Plastic Surgeon