While some decisions are as simple as opening up the Yellow Pages and calling around, finding a plastic surgeon is a much more complex process. Here are some things you should consider before you ever even book a consultation appointment.
Board Certification
You might be surprised to learn that any doctor can perform plastic surgery procedures, whether they are trained in plastic surgery or not. And, because performing these procedures can be a lucrative practice, there are many physicians out there who are enhancing and lifting and tucking who are not board certified to do so.
Any cosmetic surgeon you consider should be board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You are advised to only consider having elective procedures performed by one who is certified by this board.
The Accreditation of Their Facilities
It is a common occurrence today for plastic surgeons to perform procedures in their offices or in places referred to as surgery centers. These two options offer the patient a reduced cost while offering the physician a more convenient way to manage their practice.
If you will be having your surgery in a doctor's office or surgery center, make sure that it is accredited. For your own safety, you should only consider having plastic surgery in an accredited facility or local hospital.
Local Hospital Privileges
Even if you will be undergoing your procedure in a doctor's office or surgery center, your physician should have operating room privileges at a local hospital for the procedure you will be having done.
For instance, if you will be having breast enhancement surgery, you should be able to contact a hospital in your local area and confirm that the physician you have chosen has operating room privileges there to perform breast enhancement surgery.
You want to make sure that the doctor you select is able to use a local operating room if they need to for some reason or if there is an unforeseen emergency.
The Plastic Surgeon's Experience
In addition to board certification and hospital privileges, you need to take into consideration the experience of the doctor themselves. If you will be having a tummy tuck, then you want to select a plastic surgeon who has performed as many tummy tucks as possible.
You can usually obtain this information by asking the office staff how many of a specific procedure the plastic surgeon has performed. By considering the experience of the physician, you can ensure that your procedure will be performed by the most skilled hands possible.
By taking into consideration the skills and experience of your plastic surgeon, their hospital privileges, their facility accreditation, and their board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, you can ensure that a plastic surgeon is worthy of scheduling a consultation with for the plastic surgery procedures you are interested in. Your goal is to find a plastic surgeon who can be your partner in reaching your aesthetic goals, and to be worthy of it, she must fulfill all of the above requirements.
The amount of pain, swelling and recovery time is determined by the extent and type of plastic surgery you have. However, no matter what the procedure, you can be sure that there will be some kind of recovery involved. Fortunately, there are ways to make this time easier and the healing faster and less painful. The following are a few steps that you and your surgeon can take to make your recovery as easy as possible.
Follow all of your doctor's instructions. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is easy to get lazy and skimp on some of the steps. For instance, if he tells you to ice the incision site for twenty minutes, three times a day, just do it. Icing helps to reduce swelling. Also, take the prescribed pain killers and any other medications he has given to you. If there is a salve or cream he wants you to apply to the site, make sure to do this as prescribed. All of these steps will help reduce your pain, swelling and bruising and move your recovery along.
Talk to your surgeon about types and locations of incisions. Sometimes there is a choice, depending on the type of plastic surgery procedure, about where your incisions are made and certain places heal faster than the others. Also, smaller and fewer incisions will make your recovery faster and less painful.
Learn about the types of anesthesia. If you do not absolutely need a general anesthetic for your procedure, then you can choose a local. The risks are lessened and your recovery will be better. Have a general talk with your surgeon beforehand about the medications called prophylactic anti-emetics that you can take to reduce the effects of the anesthesia as you come out of it.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage: The lymphatic system's job is to rid the body of waste products like bacteria, fatty acids and dead cells. These things tend to gravitate to injured spots like your surgical site. The presence of these waste products in the tissue slows down the healing process and actually promotes swelling and irritation. Massaging the lymph nodes increases the circulation of the lymphatic fluid and thereby sweeping out the waste products from the surgical site. If you choose this type of treatment, make sure the person administering it, if not your doctor, is familiar with the technique. It is a very specific process, using gentle strokes and light pressure.
Be prepared. Before going in for your procedure, have all the items needed for your recovery at home and ready for you. This includes prescriptions, ice, pillows and a supportive family.
Wanting to accelerate your recovery is fine as long as it is done in a safe and sensible manner. Following all pre and post-operative instructions is extremely important. But, before you even get to that point, you need to do your homework. Find the right doctor for you and make sure he is board certified to perform plastic surgery. Check out the facility. Are they using state-of-the-art equipment? Is the staff friendly? Is the facility clean? During your consultation, you can address your options for a safe and speedy recovery with your doctor. Let him know what your expectations are and he can help devise a plan for you to get back on your feet as soon as possible. Do not cut corners when it comes to taking care of your own self.
Both Abigail Aaronson & Aaaronson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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