So you’ve made your decision. You’re going to go for it. You’re going to get that plastic surgical procedure you have been wanting for so long. Time to do something for yourself. And your friends who have done this are so happy and look so good! You know the surgery will present an investment in time and money, and you want to do it right. Here are some tips in finding the best plastic surgeon to ensure an optimal experience and outcome:
- The plastic surgeon must be board certified in Plastic Surgery. Be sure the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only true plastic surgery board. There are so many “wannabe boards” for cosmetic medicine. Only truly board certified plastic surgeons are listed on plasticsurgery.org and abplasticsurgery.org. Board certified plastic surgeons are all rigorously trained and adhere to a rigid credentialing process. Plastic surgery, even if elective in nature, is still surgery so you need to assure you are in the best hands to navigate you through your plastic surgery journey as safely as possible.
- Talk to your friends who had plastic surgery. If they are happy with their experience, and particularly if they had the procedure you want to get, then ask your friends for their surgeons’ names and check them against plasticsurgery.org and abplasticsurgery.org to assure this is a board certified plastic surgeon.
- Check out some plastic surgery websites of practices near you. Review the surgeon’s credentials and look at her/his photo gallery to see representative work for body regions in which you are interested.
- Think about getting a couple of consults. Get a feel for the surgeon, her/his staff, and the facilities, and be sure you are comfortable. Chemistry here is important. You need to be comfortable with the feel of the place, with your ability to be fully educated and ask any questions, and with your anticipation of operative and postoperative care. You need an interactive, collaborative relationship with the surgeon and her/his staff. If not, move on to another – you are sure to find a fit which you know is the best one.
- Do not prioritize a bargain over safety when it comes to your health and well-being. Unsafe options for plastic surgery are being marketed for their low expense, including attractive locations outside of the United States, or facilities in the United States which are business/franchise sites in a strip mall. Up front savings may almost surely guarantee a great deal of personal and fiscal expense afterward if your surgery is done by a non-credentialed surgeon. You may have surgery in unsafe facilities by an un-credentialed surgeon using unsafe materials, and you will not get follow-up.
Baltimore plastic surgeon, Dr. Shermak, has been Board Certified in Plastic Surgery since 2000, and she complied with all that is required to maintain her certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She is an Oral Board Examiner for board eligible surgeons taking the Oral part of the Board Certifying Exam. You may call 410-616-3000 to schedule an appointment. And check out Dr. Shermak’s website at drshermak.com to learn more about her and her practice.
