If you are considering any type of cosmetic surgery, then your first step will be selecting a surgeon you can trust with the procedure. Any surgery has risks, and with plastic surgery, one major risk is that the outcome may not meet your expectations if you aren’t working with a skilled, experienced surgeon who specializes in the procedure you want. Additionally, selecting the wrong plastic surgeon could put you at a greater risk for surgical complications, such as infections. Here are some tips to help you choose your surgeon and feel better prepared for your initial consultation.
Do your research and write down questions.
Before looking at specific doctors, do some research about the procedure or set of procedures that you want done. For example, if you are considering breast augmentation, it’s helpful to learn about the different types of implants and incisions that may be used for that surgery. As you read various information from reliable sources, such as The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery or The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, start writing down questions for your doctor to answer. Bring this list to your initial consultation. A good surgeon will take the time to answer all of your questions and help align your expectations with the limitations of a given procedure.
Great questions to ask your surgeon are:
- How many of this type of procedures do you perform in a year?
- What are the major risks associated with this procedure?
- What is the recovery of this procedure?
- Is there anything I need to do to prepare for this procedure?
- Where do you perform this procedure (hospital, accredited surgery center, office)?
- Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
- What is your “specialty” or what procedure do you like performing the most?
- Where did you do your training (medical school, general surgery and plastic surgery)?
- How long have you been in practice?
- What other questions should I be asking that I am not?
A good way to research any Medical Doctor in Arizona is to go to www.azmd.gov and do a free “doctor search”. You will be provided with training, license information and any board disciplinary action instantly. This is an underutilized tool that provides valuable information.
Read reviews for different plastic surgeons in your area.
Once you do start looking for a surgeon, head to review sites like RealSelf, Healthgrades, Vitals, and Google to read up on what former patients have to say about different surgeons in your area. Look for reviews that specifically mention the procedures you are interested in. If you can’t find a surgeon with glowing reviews in your local area, you might look at well-reviewed surgeons in other cities offering care for out-of-town patients.
At Maloney Plastic Surgery, we believe that educating our patients and thoroughly understanding their expectations is essential for successful surgical outcomes. Dr. Maloney is a board-certified, Harvard trained plastic surgeon, and he has been practicing in Tucson since 2002. Schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Maloney in our office by calling (520) 298-2330.
