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Surgeon Checklist
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How do you find a qualified
plastic surgeon? Most people are not aware that
anyone with a medical degree can call himself
or herself a plastic or cosmetic surgeon, advertise
those services and perform them. Your first consideration
should be to develop a list of well-qualified
plastic surgeons. Recommendations from friends
or your family physician are a good starting point.
Local hospitals can provide you with a list of
board certified plastic surgeons with approval
to perform the procedures you are considering.
Board certification cannot guarantee great results,
but it can certainly increase the odds.
The next step is to investigate
your physician's credentials, such as board certification.
If a physician indicates that he is board certified,
make sure you question to which board he is referring.
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is
the only board recognized by the American Board
of Medical Specialties to certify plastic surgeons.
A surgeon who is ABPS certified has graduated
from an accredited medical school and completed
at least five years of additional residency. After
this, the surgeon must practice plastic surgery
for two years and pass comprehensive written and
oral exams. You can verify this information through
www.certifieddoctor.org.
After you have narrowed your
list of candidates, consider asking these questions
during the initial consultation: Do you do this
procedure frequently or only occasionally and
when did you last perform this procedure? What
major hospitals and surgery centers are you affiliated
with in the area? Could the surgeon show you various
before and after photos of his other patients
who had undergone the procedure you are considering?
Did he candidly discuss the potential risks and
complications associated with this procedure so
you could make an informed choice?
After your consultation, think
about this: Did the surgeon ask about your motivation
or appearance goals? Were all your questions answered
to your satisfaction? Did the surgeon welcome
questions about professional qualifications, experience
and cost? Did you feel comfortable talking with
the surgeon about surgical and non-surgical alternatives?
The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery's Check List for
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon
The physicians at ACPS have
prepared the following check list to help you
select the best plastic surgeon for your procedure.
Printable version
| To print and take with you on your consultations! |
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Non-ACPS Surgeons
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ACPS
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Surgeon
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#2
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#3
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#4
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THE SURGEON'S
CREDENTIALS: |
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| Specializes
mainly in aesthetic plastic surgery |
YES
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| Board
certified by the American Board of Plastic
Surgery |
YES
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MEMBER OF: |
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| American
Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) |
YES
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| American
Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
(ASAPS) |
YES
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| Fellow
of the American College of Surgeons
(FACS) |
YES
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| Fellow
of the International College of Surgeons
(FICS) |
YES
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| Additional
credentials for continuing education
from AMA, ASPS, ASAPS |
YES
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| Privileges
at major area hospitals to perform the
procedure of interest |
YES
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| Participates
in continuing education for his/her
specialty |
YES
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| Practice
has an affiliation of several aesthetic
plastic surgeons on site, offering daily
opportunities for continuing education
among peers |
YES
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THE CONSULTATION: |
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| Before
and after photos |
YES
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| Computer
imaging |
YES
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| Extensive
pre-operative and post-operative educational
materials |
YES
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| Actual
implants and garments available to "try
on" a new breast size |
YES
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| Fee
quoted includes surgeon's fee, anesthesia,
operating room, implants, post-operative
visits with doctor, home visit by nurse |
YES
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| Extensive
pre/post operative printed information
for patient review |
YES
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THE SURGERY: |
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| On-site
fully accredited surgery center |
YES
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| If there
is an on-site surgery center, check
the following: |
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| Accredited
by AAAASF, Inc. (you can verify at www.aaaasf.org) |
YES
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| Licensed
by the State Department of Health |
YES
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| Licensed
anesthesiologists to administer general
anesthesia |
YES
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| Staffed
by experienced individuals hand-picked
by the surgeon |
YES
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PATIENT CARE: |
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at-home nurse visits by a skilled plastic
surgery staff member |
YES
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Registered
massage therapist on site to relax muscles
and
speed recovery |
YES
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| Comprehensive
skin care program with doctor-referred
products |
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| Experienced
esthetician providing skin care after
facial surgery |
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Printable version
Other Considerations in Choosing a Plastic
Surgeon
Surgeon: _________________________
Date of Consultation: ________________
Procedure(s): ______________________
- Did the surgeon spend time
with you discussing your motivations and appearance
goals?
- Is the surgeon experienced
in performing this type of surgery?
- How many?
- When was the last time?
- Did the surgeon answer all
questions in a language you could understand?
- Was the physician warm,
caring and understanding?
- Were reception areas and
exam rooms clean and neat?
- Were office staff friendly,
professional and knowledgeable?
Finally…Ask yourself
how you felt after the initial consultation. The
level of communication
with your physician and
his staff, as well as the confidence the surgeon
inspires, are vital
to the success of your surgery.
NOTES:
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Hi, I'm Dianne and I can help you with your appearance goals and answer your questions about plastic surgery and 
