Selecting a doctor of any specialty is a very personal process and a cosmetic surgeon is no different
. It's not unheard of for plastic surgery patients to fly across the country to get work done from a specific doctor. While that doctor may be considered the "best" in their field, they also need to be the best fit for that patient. Here are some tips for navigating the selection process.
Start big
There are a lot of good cosmetic surgeon options, why not make sure you don't miss any. Start by compiling a comprehensive list of doctors who have experience performing the procedure you are interested in. For those seeking a popular procedure like a breast augmentation you'll likely have plenty of excellent choices in the major metropolitan area closest to you. If you are seeking something more specialized like a butt lift or abdominal implants, you may need to be willing to perform a national search.
Develop a ranking system
Once you have a long cosmetic surgeon list, filter it down. First, check the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Any doctor who does not have this certification should probably be moved off or at least to the very bottom of the list. The same goes for any doctor who is not licensed by your state medical board.
Now you can begin taking a closer look at the doctor's experience with the procedure you are seeking. Have they performed a lot of them? Do they specialize in it? Do you like what you can see from the before and after photos they may have posted on their website?
Get personal
By now you should have a shorter list of doctors who you'd like to learn more about. Do this through personal interviews where you are able spend enough time with each to ask some tough questions and evaluate your comfort level with them. Look at more before and after photos and ask for patient references that you can contact.
Ultimately, the deciding factor should be your own intuition. A cosmetic surgeon could be considered the best in your state but if you don't feel at ease with him or her, it's probably best to keep looking. Remember that in order to get the best results you have to be able to communicate well with him. That means being comfortable enough to share your insecurities, your ambitions as well as your complete medical history.