Board Certified
Reliable plastic surgeons should be board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, meaning they are specially trained and have successfully proven themselves in the field. All board-certified surgeons are required to have at least three years of surgical experience, two years of a professional practice, a degree from an accredited medical university, two to three years of residency, and completion of both written and oral exams.
A Clean Record
A plastic surgeon in the community can have a great reputation, but can still have a record that may cause concern for potential patients. By accessing your state’s medical board, it is easy to find a thorough report on your potential doctor. Reports can also be accessed online in most cases. Red flags to look for include settlements or disciplinary action that has occurred.
Communication
It’s important that the doctor spends time communicating each step of the surgery in detail and is comfortable answering any and all questions. The best plastic surgeons make it a priority to have their patients feel safe and comfortable without feeling rushed or out of the loop with each appointment. It should feel as if the surgeon has become a new friend through many discussions during the process. The surgeon should also be more than willing to be interviewed beforehand where he can provide before and after photos of their work, along with referrals.
Talent and Skill
Plastic surgery is more than a formula, and requires talent and skill for a natural and beautiful appearance. The most successful plastic surgeons are often those who have an eye for perfectly sculpting the body and providing results that are more than expected by the patient.