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    Over 1.5 million plastic surgery procedures are performed in the United States annually. While 70 percent of all plastic surgery procedures are reconstructive, there is an ever-growing interest in cosmetic plastic surgery.  People have become more comfortable with the concept of changing their appearance, as cosmetic surgery methods have become safer and less invasive.  Some of the most common cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, facelift, tummy tuck, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery and breast augmentation.

Additional procedures include: neck and brow lift, chemical peels, Dermabrasion, collagen and buttocks injections.

    It is very important to choose a plastic surgeon that you trust.  The market for cosmetic surgery has grown significantly in recent years and many individuals are advertising that they perform cosmetic procedures.  When you begin to evaluate the credentials of your prospective plastic surgeon, you may consider the following: 

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BOARD CERTIFICATION:  Is the plastic surgeon you are considering certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?  One way to determine whether the doctor you will be seeing is a Board Certified plastic surgeon is to access the American Society of Plastic Surgery’s (ASPS) referral program at www.plasticsurgery.org.  A fully trained board certified plastic surgeon must pass both written and oral examinations to become certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  A surgeon with this specialized training will be able to discuss the best options for you.  An added advantage of accessing the website at the ASPS is your ability to review the doctor’s biography and to obtain general information on various procedures through ASPS patient information literature that is included on the website.

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HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES:  Although your surgery may be performed in an outpatient facility or office, your plastic surgeon should have privileges to perform the procedure you are considering in an accredited hospital, such as the Brigham and Women’s hospital.  This indicates that the plastic surgeon’s credentials have been reviewed and meet the hospital’s standards.  A plastic surgeon may deem it more appropriate to perform the procedure at a hospital due to your medical history and current health condition.

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    Once you have researched your plastic surgeon, you should meet with him/her to get an understanding of what the procedure entails.

·        All your questions about the procedure and post-procedure care should be answered using terms you can understand.  Some examples of questions to ask are “What procedure is best for me?  Should I have the surgery done in the office or in the hospital?  How long will it take to recover?”  

·        The surgeon should ask for your reasons and expectations regarding the procedure and discuss these issues with you to make sure that your expectations are realistic. Even after selecting a plastic surgeon to visit for a consultation, the process of “choosing a plastic surgeon” is still not done.  It is important that the plastic surgeon listens to you and answers all your questions thoroughly.  In addition to a discussion of options for the treatment of your cosmetic concerns, the doctor should explain the recovery in detail, including restrictions on certain activities, when you can return to work, and what preparations you should make for surgery. 

·        Plastic surgeons are aware of the risks of surgery and the best way to avoid them.  This information should be shared with you, including a discussion of any underlying medical problems you may have and how this might impact on planning for surgery.  For instance, it may be better for a patient with asthma to have their surgery performed in a hospital setting instead of a day surgery unit or office setting. 

·        Ask questions and write your questions down prior to your visit.  Many patients forget what they wanted to ask the doctor and having a list may help.

·        Don’t be afraid to ask for a second visit to discuss surgery.  Most doctors offer to see patients more than once (at no extra charge) to make sure that the patient is comfortable with the plan.

·        Listen carefully to the doctor when he/she discusses the recovery period.  This is a practical issue and will help you to plan your surgery at a time that allows full recovery and takes into account work and family issues. 

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    Cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are not usually covered by health insurance.  If the procedure is not covered by insurance, make sure that you have a full understanding of all fees involved. (click here to go back to the top)

    Choosing a plastic surgeon is an important decision.  After you have found an ABPS board certified plastic surgeon, had a consultation, and the discussion of all aspects of the procedure(s) is completed; you may evaluate if you feel well informed and confident that this particular doctor is right for you.   You should feel as good about the procedure as you do about the desired result.  Make sure you are comfortable with all aspects of the plan; the final decision about cosmetic surgery should always be yours.

To find out more about Brigham and Women’s Hospital plastic surgeons:

For more information, please call the Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Coordinator at 1-800-789-8157 or 617-732-5282.  Please mention this article and we will send you (the same day) a complimentary cosmetic brochure(s) of your choice.  

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