How to Select a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

Cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is a very popular subject these days. Make a search on the internet for cosmetic or plastic surgery and you will get millions of results - web sites of plastic surgeons of different nationalities, various procedures available, advice for cheap plastic surgery, before and after photos, celebrity patients, clinics and surgery travel packages for various countries, news from around the world, and more.

There is an increasing number of individuals from all walks of life who undergo cosmetic surgery each year. How should someone considering plastic surgery select a plastic surgeon and make an informed decision? Patients considering cosmetic surgery should know that choosing the right surgeon is the single most important decision they will make. Today, many doctors perform cosmetic plastic surgery but not all of them have trained as plastic surgeons. Once doctors get their medical degrees, they may practice any specialty, even if they have not completed advanced training in that field. And so, a doctor who performs cosmetic plastic surgery is not necessarily trained as a plastic surgeon. He may have merely observed the procedure or taken a short course or workshop. To ensure the best results for the surgery you are considering, choose an authentic plastic surgeon with the specialized training and experience that is necessary for the success of your surgery.

As you visit the websites of plastic surgeons, they should provide you with basic information about plastic surgery and the various procedures available. You should be able to find information about the surgeon's formal training and experience. From the website, you should also be able to get an idea about the surgeon's basic approach and philosophy on cosmetic surgery and patient care.

Training

Select a surgeon who has completed at least five to six years of formal training in plastic and reconstructive surgery in accredited training hospitals. This includes three to five years of general surgery residency and two to three years of plastic surgery residency. In the Philippines, these doctors are either board-eligible or board-certified by the Philippine Board of Plastic Surgery. Doctors who have completed residency training in plastic and reconstructive surgery are the only doctors who can rightfully claim to be plastic surgeons. Many doctors who perform cosmetic surgery procedures are board-certified in specialties other than plastic surgery or may even lack such credentials.

Experience

Good credentials provide a reasonable indication of a doctor's qualification to perform cosmetic surgery, and should serve as the basic starting point. Patients should then ask the surgeon about his experience. How long has he been in practice and how many times has he done the procedure you are considering? The broader your surgeon's experience, the greater your chances for a successful surgery.

Hospital Privileges

Another factor to consider is whether the surgeon has hospital privileges. Before a hospital grants privileges to physicians, they usually require certain standards of training and competence to be met. Although many cosmetic surgery procedures may be safely done in outpatient clinics, others should only be done in a hospital setting. It is best to choose a surgeon who has hospital privileges.

Consultation

Find a plastic surgeon whom you feel comfortable with. You should be able to communicate easily with him, ask him all your questions and discuss your needs and expectations. Make sure you have all the facts you need in order to make an informed judgement.

A good plastic surgeon should be able to evaluate whether you are a good candidate for the surgery you are considering. He should be able to educate you about your options and give you advice about the best technique for your needs. If there are less invasive or non-surgical procedures that could fulfill your needs, the surgeon should be able to tell you about them.

Realize that pre- and post-operative photos of the surgeon's patients can be useful in helping you understand the surgery but are no guarantee that your results will be similar. Every individual is different.

Beware of any doctor who tells you there are no possible risks involved in surgery. There are always risks, and these should be discussed frankly.

Never allow a doctor to talk you into any procedure you don't want. A reputable plastic surgeon will let the patient suggest what he or she wants done and then advise them on what is or is not possible.

Be skeptical of any doctor who seems to avoid talking about his or her training and professional qualifications.

Price

Although price is definitely a factor when considering elective surgery, don't "bargain shop" for plastic surgery. Any surgery is still surgery and has some uncertainty and risk involved. When price is the primary factor for choosing a plastic surgeon, risks increase. The success of your surgery is largely dependent on your choice of surgeon and professional qualifications and experience should be your main consideration in selecting your plastic surgeon. Even when you go to popular clinics where a number of surgeons practice as a group, take a look at the qualifications of the particular surgeon who will be handling your case.

Good plastic surgeons may charge relatively affordable fees, especially if they practice in Asian countries like the Philippines, where cost of living expenses are low and if they can keep overhead costs low by having modest outpatient surgery clinics. But think twice if the surgeon you're considering charges much lower than other plastic surgeons in the same country. Especially if the procedure to be done is in the face, like a rhinoplasty (nose surgery), blepharoplasty (eye surgery) or rhytidectomy (face lift), you could end up having to stare at your "cheap" doctor's mistakes in the mirror every day. No wonder there are also so many searches made for "awful plastic surgery".

Dr. Carlos Lasa Jr. is a Filipino plastic & reconstructive surgeon who trained at the University of the Philippines, Institute of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Georgia, USA, & Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Ohio,USA. He is currently based in Metro Manila, Philippines. He specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery procedures such as liposuction, rhinoplasty (noselift), breast augmentation, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhytidectomy (facelift), and more. For more information about having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines, visit his site at http://www.cosmeticsurgeryphil.com or email clasamd@cosmeticsurgeryphil.com

---

Want to Try on That New Hair Style Before You Get It?

Hair Styles Cuts And Dos Review:Description: Hair Style Editor, Photo... Read More

Rosacea Treatment & Rosacea Skin Care - Can You Cure Rosacea? There is a Solution....

Rosacea is a fairly common skin disorder that primarily affects... Read More

Contact Lenses are Easy to Get Online, As Long as You Know How, and You Choose the Right Brands

Eye glasses have really come a long way over the... Read More

Seven Things to do Now to Look Good Always!

Fashion magazines target people every day with lists and charts... Read More

Plastic Surgery - A Risky Business

When most of us think of plastic surgery, we contemplate... Read More

Do You Really Need To Wear A Moisturizer?

You just may be able to get away without using... Read More

Massive Weight Loss Causes Turkey Waddle for WLS Patients

A friend of mine who recently lost nearly 150 pounds... Read More

Tanning Beds for Sale

Ranging in price from a $150 to $50,000, tanning beds... Read More

Beauty and Raw Food

One of the best ways to improve the appearance of... Read More

Rejuvenate Your Skin with a Simple Seaweed Facial Mask

A few years ago I discovered how to make a... Read More

The Truth About Home Made Facials

I started making facial masks after reading several books on... Read More

Do-It-Yourself Manicure

Your hands are as obvious as any part of your... Read More

The Cost of Dental Implants

As a form of elective surgery, the cost of dental... Read More

Lady Godiva Hair

I love long hair! Especially mine.Yes, I live in a... Read More

Commercial Tanning Beds: An Overview

Commercial tanning beds come in two basic formats. Horizontal tanning... Read More

It?s All in the Name of Beauty? Baby

From firming the skin, decreasing wrinkles to achieving a healthy... Read More

How Does Sunless Tanning Lotion Work?

Perhaps you want a suntanned look for just one occasion... Read More

Try Wolff Tanning Bed Parts

Do you own a tanning salon? Maybe you just have... Read More

Soft Hair And Skin Au Naturelle

Just picture this, your walking down the beach front, its... Read More

The Many Faces Of Mascara

After finding the right foundation shade, choosing mascara is probably... Read More

Hyaluronic Acid vs. Collagen - A Growing Debate

The debate continues as to whether Hyaluronic acid or collagen... Read More

Self Tanning - Affordable and Easy To Do

Sunless tanning has many advantages over the traditional sun tanning.... Read More

Miracle Spa In The Palm of Your Hands!

Dermaglow Miracle Spa, is a NEW range of organic and... Read More

Brow Lift - Cosmetic Surgery Procedure

Brow Lift ? Cosmetic Surgery ProceduresThroughout life, natural signs of... Read More

Rhinoplasty (Nose Job) Information: Worth the Cost

The nose is the central part of the human face,... Read More

What You Should Know About Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is any surgical procedure that is designed to... Read More

Tanning Salon Equipment

Tanning salons continue to be extremely popular in all areas... Read More

The Day Spa Retreat - Take a Break

As the daily grind and extra work schedule takes its... Read More

Get Back that White Bright Smile with the Teeth Whitening Systems at Home

There are many poets who have written about the power... Read More

The Benefits of Discount Salon Equipment

Many suppliers of salon equipment offer products that are labeled... Read More

Long Hair and Updo Hairstyles

You have long hair and you are ready for an... Read More

Makeup Tips for Eyes, Lips and Face

When I hit my 30's, I decided to get more... Read More

Eyelid Plastic Surgery

Blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure... Read More