Cosmetic Surgeon 411 Directory

How to choose your plastic surgeon?

Choosing a plastic surgeon is an important, life-altering decision. It is vital to your safety and the success of your cosmetic surgery that the surgeon you choose has the right qualifications, ample experience, and documented results of his or her work.

Not all surgeons who perform cosmetic surgery are trained equally, and any doctor with a valid medical license—regardless of the length and type of training he or she has—can perform cosmetic surgery.

As the demand for plastic surgery continues to increase each year, this fact becomes more alarming. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the foremost authority on plastic surgery, more than 10.2 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in the United States in 2005, up 11 percent from 2004.

It is very important that you choose a qualified and highly experienced plastic surgeon to perform your cosmetic surgery. If there are any complications during surgery, an experienced plastic surgeon will be more adept at handling the situation. In addition, a plastic surgeon that has performed many cosmetic surgeries will have had more time to perfect his or her technique and results.

Tips for Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

There are several guidelines to follow in order to ensure that you choose one of the finest plastic surgeons in your area:

• You need your plastic surgeon to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification is an indication that the surgeon has had extra training in the field of aesthetic plastic surgery. This also ensures that the plastic surgeon has earned his or her degree from a reputable medical school and has completed five years of additional residency.

• Reputable plastic surgeons should have privileges to perform cosmetic surgery procedures at an accredited hospital – not just in the surgery center in their office.

• Ask your plastic surgeon to show you before-and-after photos of patients who have undergone cosmetic surgery and ask to speak with some of their patients.

• Good doctors will ensure realistic expectations and take the time to address your concerns. They will encourage you to do your homework, talk to other patients, and make an informed choice.

• Be skeptical of super saver deals advertised in newspapers and magazines. Most plastic surgeons charge comparable rates and rarely offer “deals.” Don’t compromise quality care and your safety just to save a few dollars; it may end up costing you more in the long run. An experienced plastic surgeon will be more adept at fixing or addressing any problems that may arise.

• Of course, one of the most important factors in choosing a plastic surgeon is your personal comfort level with the doctor. You should feel comfortable asking questions about your cosmetic surgery procedure so that you can make an educated final decision regarding your surgery.

Men often talk of their love for women’s boobs, but it seems that most men are not too keen on their own. In fact, according to figures released by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), more men than ever are turning to cosmetic surgery in a bid to banish their man boobs, also known as ‘moobs’.

Moobs are caused by a condition called gynaecomastia, which develops for a number of reasons. Nigel Mercer, BAAPS president and a consultant plastic surgeon, explains: “We have been seeing more men with gynaecomastia in recent years. There are a variety of reasons for male breasts getting bigger, these include a rise in obesity, a rise in drinking and potentially, more female hormones in the environment.” Indeed, ‘gender pollution’ has often been cited as a result for this condition, which is caused by too many female hormones working their way into the water system, mainly due to the contraceptive pill.

Moobs can be distressing and hard to shift through diet and exercise, so male breast reduction surgery can often be the only solution. Celebrity sufferers include Simon Cowell, Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas, and they are regularly mocked in the press when they are unfortunate enough to be photographed shirtless on holiday.

The BAAPS statistics showed that there was a 27 per cent increase in the number of men having breast reduction surgery last year, along with an overall increase in male plastic surgery of 18 per cent. The reason for this rise is attributed to a general acceptance of cosmetic surgery, making procedures less taboo. Dalia Nield, a plastic surgeon with the London Clinic, said: “In the past men probably put up with having strange shaped bodies, or developing breasts. Now men know there is a solution. They regard operations as a way of giving them a better quality of life.”