If you have decided to go ahead with a plastic surgery procedure, one of the most important things you’ll need to decide on is a surgeon. This person will have a significant impact on the success of your surgery and like anything, finding someone that’s both skilled and also able to understand your unique situation is vital. This article takes you through the main things you need to consider when looking for a surgeon to take care of the procedure.
The first thing to do is to talk to your general practitioner. This doctor will know you already, and will most likely have some good background knowledge on your needs. You should have an open discussion about any health implications you have, which may affect the surgery. Also, your GP may know a good surgeon related to the treatment you need in the local area.
After the initial step has been taken, you should ensure that the surgeon you’re considering is fully registered and insured to do the procedure. In addition, it’s a good idea to check the GMC’s register with details of the specialists near you. You can also ask the surgeon to show you their relevant certificates – to prove that they’re fully qualified for the job.
Once you know the surgeon, if fully registered and insured, you should make sure that the person giving you the consultation is the same person that will be performing your surgery. This means that your specific requests or needs are told directly to the correct person, and that nothing will be missed. You can then go on to do your own research. An excellent place to start is to check the CQC, which can be used to check the quality of various practitioners. You can check the most recent inspection report, which is available publicly, and can be found online. A good example to reference to is Heartland Plastic Surgery Center in Des Moines.
Going to surgeries yourself, and finding out as much about the procedure as possible can also be a great idea, and may influence your decision. Drop into some of the cosmetic surgeries you’re considering and ask questions about the process. We recommend asking about what you should expect on the run-up to the surgery and on the day, who will be your main point of contact, what the process is if something doesn’t go to plan, and what will the cost be (including aftercare costs). All of this information will help you make a more informed decision. You’ll also want to make sure you talk to the surgeon that will be carrying out the procedure. Ask them any questions you still need clarification on. If necessary, you could get a second opinion – especially if the answers you get aren’t satisfactory. The main things you may want to know from the surgeon are the length of the surgery, what anesthetic they will be giving you and the effects, how long you’ll need to recover and what the process is, what the results will really look like, and what to do if anything goes wrong.