Choosing the right plastic surgeon: 4 qualities to look for

Choosing to get breast implants is a big decision and finding the right plastic surgeon can feel overwhelming. You’ve probably found that experience and price varies wildly. How do you decide who’s the best person to perform your breast augmentation surgery? Shape your interviews around the following four qualities to find someone that meets your expectations and needs.

1. Experience

Next you want to find out how much experience the plastic surgeon has specifically with breast augmentation and the type of implants you would like to get. You also want to ensure the doctor can operate at a local hospital in the unlikely event complications arise.

Some questions to ask include:

• How many years have you been performing breast augmentation?
• How many do you perform annually?
• Do you have hospital privileges?

2. Outcomes

You have a vision in mind of what you want the final result to look like. The office should be able to show you previous procedures. Also ask about quality; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimated that complications happen in approximately 1 percent of women getting breast implants.

Some questions to ask include:

• Can you show me before and after photos of previous breast augmentations?
• What type of implants do you use?
• What’s your rate of complications and reoperations?

3. Rapport

Your relationship with the surgeon is extremely important to the outcomes. You want to find someone who guides you with their professional opinion but you don’t want a physician telling you what to get. This is your decision and should be made during a two-way conversation.

Questions to ask yourself include:

• Do I feel comfortable opening up to this person?
• Is the surgeon listening to my vision for the surgery?

4. Cost

Changing the shape of your body is a big deal and quality comes first. However cost is an important factor for most people. A higher price tag doesn’t always mean higher quality. Make sure that the first three points are satisfied before you spend money on a high-priced option.

On the other hand a low-cost provider may not deliver the quality you’re looking for. Ensure the procedure is done right the first time. Treating complications or having a repeat surgery will ultimately cost more in the end.

Questions to ask include:

• What is the total cost of the procedure and what does that include?
• Do you offer any payment plans or other financing options?

It’s always best to look at more than one possible surgeon for your breast augmentation but how many you visit is up to you and how easily you’re able to find the right surgeon. The FDA has a more detailed list of questions to guide your interviews.

For information about Reid Health programs visit: Reid Health Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

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