Tips on Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon
Posted May 13, 2016 in Practice News
Your decision to get plastic surgery is something you will have to live with for many years. It is, quite literally, a life-altering choice. If the results of your procedure were as amazing as you hoped they would be, good for you! But what if they weren’t? What if you entrusted your body to an inexperienced and poorly trained plastic surgeon? The results could be traumatic.
The plastic surgeon you choose to perform your desired procedure plays a critical role in the outcome. But how do you pick the one that’s right for you? Dr. LaDawn Talbott, a leading Reno plastic surgeon, shares some advice. Here are the things you need to consider when vetting doctors and their qualifications.
Board Certification
Did you know that a doctor can legally perform a procedure even without specialized training? That means a general physician could — legally — do tummy tuck or liposuction. This is why it’s extremely important that the Reno plastic surgeon you choose is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).
A Board-certified plastic surgeon has completed their residency program in General Surgery, which takes 3 to 5 years, as well as advanced training in Plastic Surgery, which takes 2 to 3 years. While being a plastic surgeon sounds like a glamorous job, it requires a high level of specialized medical training. You can verify your Reno plastic surgeon’s certification on the ABPS website.
Medical Record and Experience
Once you’ve verified your plastic surgeon’s certification, the next step is to check whether a medical malpractice has been filed against them. The websites of State Medical Boards can retrieve this kind of information for you. For Nevada, use the State Board of Medical Examiners’ Licensee Lookup.
Another crucial thing you should look into is the surgeon’s experience in the procedure you want. If you want a breast augmentation done, the Reno plastic surgeon you choose should have performed the procedure hundreds of times (and that number is not an exaggeration). This is where the one-on-one consultation comes in handy. During your consultation, ask your surgeon how long they’ve been doing this type of procedure and how many times they’ve actually performed it. Ask for Before and After photos; if they have nothing to show for it, that’s a huge red flag.
Need help coming up with more good questions to ask your prospective Reno plastic surgeon? Check out this blog post.
Surgical Facility and Hospital Privileges
Another question to ask your plastic surgeon is where they usually perform surgery. Find out if it’s an accredited surgical facility. An accredited operating room adheres to strict national standards for safety, sanitation, equipment, and personnel.
Even if you’re having your procedure done at a day surgery center or outpatient facility, it would be worthwhile to also ask your surgeon to which hospitals they have admitting privileges. Why? Because hospital privileges are an assurance of (your) safety. Before a plastic surgeon is granted such privileges, the hospital evaluates the their training and verifies their credentials.
Positive (Emotional) Connection
Some may argue that experience and expertise should be enough to make you choose one Reno plastic surgeon over another. That’s a valid argument. Why else would we put certification and experience as the top considerations? But we also shouldn’t overlook the importance of personal connection.
You need to feel comfortable with your plastic surgeon, comfortable enough to disclose your medical history, ask questions about the procedure, and share your personal goals. This comfort should also extend to the medical support staff. Do they make you feel welcome? Are they helpful? You’ll be spending a lot of time with both your surgeon and their staff, so you need to be able to feel safe around them.
Choosing the right Reno plastic surgeon involves a lot of research. You also need to get as much out of the consultation as you can. The more you know about your prospective plastic surgeon, the better and more confident you’ll feel about your decision to get plastic surgery.
Are you considering plastic surgery and would like to know more about Dr. Talbott and the procedures she’s performed? Contact Talbott Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule your complimentary consultation.
