Cosmetic Surgeon 411 Directory

Have you been thinking about having facial cosmetic surgery? Are you ready to start looking for a doctor? Perhaps you know someone who demonstrates spectacular surgical abilities, or maybe you saw an attractive ad for a cosmetic surgeon. There are many ways to find the best surgeon. Follow these steps to locate a great facial cosmetic surgeon who can help you look and feel the very best.

Insider Tips for Selecting a Facial Cosmetic Surgeon

The best way to find a good facial surgeon is to commit some time and energy into the research process. Because individual needs and goals are different, there is no cut-and-dried formula for finding the best surgeon.

Before you speak to a surgeon, ask yourself a few questions. What are my goals for plastic surgery? How much time and money can I devote to the process? Am I willing to travel to another state or country? Once you have your thoughts and ideas in order, it’s time to start researching individual cosmetic surgeons. Now, where do you start?

Opening the phone book is a big pitfall for selecting a facial cosmetic surgeon. The doctor’s ad may look great, but you don’t know how his patients look! There’s no way to correlate surgical results with an advertising budget. Additionally, some of the top surgeons don’t even place ads in telephone books.

You may think it’s a great idea to ask around or get referrals from doctors you know. While this technique can be useful in narrowing your search, it also leaves unanswered questions.

Referrals to other specialists are generally made to personal associates of your doctor. He probably doesn’t know all of the facial cosmetic surgeons in your area and may be trying to send some business a friend’s way. While you might be lucky and get a referral to a top-notch surgeon, why leave it to chance? Take a recommendation from your doctor or your hospital’s referral line with a grain of salt, and keep looking elsewhere.

Referrals from other cosmetic surgery patients are similarly unreliable. Even if the person has done a recent, exhaustive survey of the surgeons in your area, personal conditions and needs might be vastly different from your own. Someone who has had a rhinoplasty procedure isn’t the best person to help you find a cosmetic surgery specialist for your facelift.

Find a Facial Cosmetic Surgeon on the Internet

If you can’t be sure of a great referral from your doctor or your friends, where can you turn? Thankfully, recent trends in technology have enabled even the least tech-savvy among us to become top researchers.

Searching online for a facial cosmetic surgeon can be the quickest and most effective way to create a list of good candidates. Surgeon directories and individual websites are full of helpful tips, detailed information about doctor’s qualifications, plastic surgery cost and before-and-after photos of patients. Online research also allows you to expand your search beyond the immediate area, to other cities, states and even countries.

Different people focus on different factors at this point in the surgeon search. No matter what you are looking for, pay attention to education, training and credentials. Remember that anyone with an M.D. can legally offer “facial plastic surgery.”

Dig a little deeper and look for a facial cosmetic surgeon who has completed specialized training in the exact area of the face you are seeking to improve. Check to see if and where he has received board certification. While certification doesn’t guarantee a superior surgeon, it does indicate someone who has passed proficiency testing. The best surgeons are proud of their training, accomplishments and continued education, and will be glad to share this information.

Great facial cosmetic surgeons are proud of their work and readily provide before-and-after photographs of recent patients. Be suspicious of any surgeon who is reluctant to share photographs — it is a red flag that the surgeon may be inexperienced.

The Final Steps in Selecting Your Facial Cosmetic Surgeon

The next step is to interview at least three of the top surgeons on your list. You can do this over the phone or at a free consultation (if one is offered). While speaking to a facial cosmetic surgeon can be intimidating, just remember that you are in control of the decision. You are simply looking to hire the best candidate.

At this point, the personal connection with the expert becomes more important. Does he attentively listen to you and respond to questions? Do you feel a bond forming with him? Does his bedside manner appeal to you? Is his office team knowledgeable and respectful?