If it’s true, to quote Shakespeare, that “God has given you one face and you make yourself another,” then it’s critical to do a little homework before choosing a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon so you don’t end up a bad plastic surgery cliché or suffer serious complications. While no amount of research can ensure a great result, there are a few steps you can take to minimize your risk. Just as there are rules for purchasing a new home or car, there are many dos and don’ts you need to consider before making a decision. After all, this person is going to change your appearance, forever.
1. Do avoid random searches. Thought tempting, it might not be best to randomly scour the yellow pages or Internet for a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. This is a person who will be cutting into your body. It’s one thing to hit or miss when ordering a pizza. You can survive a bad slice. Surviving a bad slice from a surgeon’s knife is another matter altogether.
2. Do your homework. To avoid becoming the feature model on awfulplasticsurgery.com, do your research. Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons generate business via word of mouth referrals, so ask around. See which of your friends, family members or co-workers has gone under the knife. This may seem like a ridiculous point to mention but check to see if your facial plastic surgeon has a valid license to practice. There are too many instances of doctors with suspended licenses still working in their office with other physicians performing the actual procedures.
3. Do insist on board certification. There are certifying boards for plastic surgeons, as well as surgical societies and organizations of which any plastic surgeon may be a member. However, there also are certifying boards and organizations exclusively for facial plastic surgeons, including the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Certification by these organizations indicates that a surgeon has completed extensive specialized training that conveys superior knowledge and experience, as well as a commitment to excellence in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. While it’s a good thing to trust the person who will be cutting into your face, you can verify the answer by checking with the ABFPS and AAFPRS online. For any facial plastic or reconstructive procedure, look for a specialist who is a facial plastic surgeon, Double Board Certified, fellowship trained and who has many years experience performing the procedure that interests you.
4. Do go beyond before and after photos. Today, a good facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon will go beyond simple before and after photos to sophisticated computer software that allows you to see before and after images of yourself before surgery. Imaging software is great for facial plastic and reconstructive procedures including facelift, mini facelift, rhinoplasty, reconstructive facial plastic surgery, and eyelid lift. It gives you and your surgeon a glimpse of your surgical possibilities and helps you understand what is realistic in terms of a result for you.
5. Do find out where the procedure will be performed. Depending on a number of factors including surgical complexity, personal health issues, anesthesia use and recovery time, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures are performed in a hospital, outpatient ambulatory center, or in the doctor’s office. Since many facial plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures are not covered by insurance, hospitals can get a little pricey, but they may be your best bet if you’re overly concerned about safety (and who isn’t nowadays). Since hospitals usually have exacting standards regarding surgeon training and carefully review safety records before grant operating privileges, a doctor with hospital surgical privileges has in effect an extra stamp of approval.
6. Do ask about the risks and complications associated with this procedure. Surgery is trauma is your body. There’s no getting around this fact. So even minor procedures carry some risk. Though uncommon in the hands of a skilled surgeon, blood loss, infection, and adverse reactions to anesthesia can all occur. Fortunately, advances in medicine have lessened significantly the risk of complications. Moreover, since many facial plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures are elective, surgeons can pick and choose on whom they operate. A responsible doctor won’t perform surgery on anyone whom they deem at great risk, including heavy smokers, thereby reducing the possibility of complications. Though most surgeons will discuss complications prior to your procedure, don’t be afraid the raise the question. Your surgeon should be able to spell out all the risks, as well as tell you what his or her personal history is with a given procedure.
