 A Guide to Choosing the Right Surgeon for You
The popularity of plastic surgery is soaring—and more and more
doctors are trying to meet the demand for this specialty that
has become an integral part of mainstream medicine. Any licensed
physician can claim to be a plastic surgeon, so the importance
of making sure your doctor is properly trained and certified is paramount. When you choose a doctor who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS), you can rest assured your surgeon is qualified to perform your surgery. If you are considering plastic surgery, there is no substitute for an ASPS Member Surgeon.
 Why is an ASPS Member Surgeon the best choice for me?
Choosing an ASPS Member Surgeon ensures:
 At least six years of surgical training and experience, with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery.Board-certification by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.Operating only in accredited facilities.Adherence to a strict code of ethics.Fulfillment of continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.As a prospective plastic surgery patient, educating yourself is one of the most important things you can do. To help you prepare, we offer you the following guide:
 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Plastic Surgeon
1. Are you an ASPS Member Surgeon? If so, you can rest assured that your surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery, has hospital privileges for plastic surgery procedures, and performs surgery only in accredited facilities.If your surgeon is an ASPS member then move directly to Step 2. If not, be sure to ask all of the questions in Step 1.
2. Are you board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada?3. Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?4. Is the surgical facility accredited? Questions to Ask Your ASPS Member Surgeon During Your Consultation
It's important to talk to your ASPS Member Surgeon about your goals and treatment. Feel confident asking about your doctor's credentials, experience, and outcomes or safety record. It's your body, your safety, and your life.
1. Am I a good candidate for this procedure?2. How many procedures of this type have you performed?3. What will be expected of me to achieve optimal results? 4. What are the risks involved with my procedure?5. How long can I expect recovery to take, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?6. Will I need to take time off work? If so, how long?During the consultation, your ASPS Member Surgeon should:
Answer all of your questions thoroughly and clearly.Ask about your thoughts to recommended treatment.Offer alternatives, where appropriate, without pressuring you to consider unneeded or additional procedures.Welcome questions about your procedure and his or her professional qualifications, experience, costs, and payment policies.Make clear the risks of surgery and possible outcomes.Give you information about the procedure you want.Leave the final decision to you.If you would like to learn more about plastic surgery, the ASPS website at www.plasticsurgery.org is a great resource for information of all types.
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