How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon
You're thinking about making some changes to your looks -- maybe liposuction or breast augmentation -- and you want to know where you can get the best outcome for the least amount of money. Stop right there; too often the least expensive procedure costs may also equal a person or physician not medically qualified to perform the task.
An eye lift or liposuction may seem like a simple procedure that couldn't have many risks involved, but that isn't true -- and especially untrue if your chosen practitioner doesn't have the specialized training and experience that physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons requires.
Plastic surgery is surgery, just as a gall bladder removal or an appendectomy are surgeries. Don't let the relatively innocuous sound of plastic surgery fool you. There are potential risks and complications that are inherent to all surgical procedures.
With plastic surgery, there is the additional potential for an emotional response to the surgical outcome. Reputable plastic surgeons will help you consider all the potential issues involved with the procedure you are seeking.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Dr. Malcolm Z. Roth, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and chief of plastic surgery at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY, explains that lack of appropriate training for some novices in plastic surgery have resulted in outcomes ranging from deep vein thromboses, heart attacks and death.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest specialty organization for plastic surgeons in the world. Founded in 1931, the ASPS has as its mission to "advance quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery."
When shopping for a plastic surgeon, choosing one that is board-certified by the ASPS assures you of the competence of your surgeon in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
To make your search for ASPS-certified plastic surgeons easier, the ASPS provides this link to aid in your quest.
Other Resources
A website that caters specifically to helping people find a plastic surgeon in their area is the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. It is not guaranteed that all physicians listed at this site are board-certified with the ASPS, but you can find more information about a physician you are considering by: 1) Clicking on the "More about this practice" link for each physician listed and/or 2) Enter the physician's name at the ASPS site.
Considerations
When looking into a particular physician or office with multiple physicians, be certain that the doctor that will be doing your surgery is listed with the ASPS. Some offices have a ASPS-certified physician as the director or head of the office or clinic, but other physicians working there may not have the same designation.
All in all, remember that if a price you receive sounds too good to be true, there is likely a fly in the ointment somewhere. Investigate thoroughly before proceeding.
Resources:
MSNBC.com: Today Health; Diane Mapes; 9-27-2011
American Society of Plastic Surgeons: About ASPS
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery
An eye lift or liposuction may seem like a simple procedure that couldn't have many risks involved, but that isn't true -- and especially untrue if your chosen practitioner doesn't have the specialized training and experience that physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons requires.
Plastic surgery is surgery, just as a gall bladder removal or an appendectomy are surgeries. Don't let the relatively innocuous sound of plastic surgery fool you. There are potential risks and complications that are inherent to all surgical procedures.
With plastic surgery, there is the additional potential for an emotional response to the surgical outcome. Reputable plastic surgeons will help you consider all the potential issues involved with the procedure you are seeking.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Dr. Malcolm Z. Roth, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and chief of plastic surgery at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY, explains that lack of appropriate training for some novices in plastic surgery have resulted in outcomes ranging from deep vein thromboses, heart attacks and death.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest specialty organization for plastic surgeons in the world. Founded in 1931, the ASPS has as its mission to "advance quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery."
When shopping for a plastic surgeon, choosing one that is board-certified by the ASPS assures you of the competence of your surgeon in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
To make your search for ASPS-certified plastic surgeons easier, the ASPS provides this link to aid in your quest.
Other Resources
A website that caters specifically to helping people find a plastic surgeon in their area is the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. It is not guaranteed that all physicians listed at this site are board-certified with the ASPS, but you can find more information about a physician you are considering by: 1) Clicking on the "More about this practice" link for each physician listed and/or 2) Enter the physician's name at the ASPS site.
Considerations
When looking into a particular physician or office with multiple physicians, be certain that the doctor that will be doing your surgery is listed with the ASPS. Some offices have a ASPS-certified physician as the director or head of the office or clinic, but other physicians working there may not have the same designation.
All in all, remember that if a price you receive sounds too good to be true, there is likely a fly in the ointment somewhere. Investigate thoroughly before proceeding.
Resources:
MSNBC.com: Today Health; Diane Mapes; 9-27-2011
American Society of Plastic Surgeons: About ASPS
Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery
Published by L.L. Woodard
Freelance writer/editor and freelance observer of life. Three decades of nursing experience in long-term care, from development of team care planning to hands-on patient care. View profile
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