CHOOSING A PLASTIC SURGEON IS LIKE FALLING IN LOVE
Is there really a difference between Plastic Surgeons? I was asked this question the other day and to me it’s such an obvious answer; YES, YES and YES! As a plastic surgery coordinator for Dr. George Alexander, I speak to patients all day long who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery. Of course for patients, the first step for them is deciding if they even want to have surgery. Once they’ve made that decision, they head to the internet or ask their doctors or their friends to find a plastic surgeon. At this point, some patients think that all doctors with an ad or a website that say “cosmetic surgeon” or “plastic surgeon” are created equally. This is a tricky spot in the research process. Not all specialties are the same. If you want foot surgery, you look for a podiatrist which is a doctor specially trained in all things feet. But too many people are okay choosing any doctor to be their “cosmetic surgeon”.
Credentials really do matter If someone on the phone is telling you they don’t, then beware. Once patients have narrowed the list of doctors’ names down to only the board-certified plastic surgeons then there are many other factors to still consider. And some friendly advice here . . . it can’t be all about price. Yes, we all have budgets that need to be considered but sometimes you really do get what you pay for. For example, all the prices you’ve received by calling around or emailing include anesthesia and facility. But what’s the quality of the anesthesia and facility? Is the anesthesia being administered by a board-certified doctor who stays with you throughout your surgery or is performed by the surgeon, a nurse, someone with even less credentials? Is the operating facility a fully-accredited surgical facility with proper staffing prepared to handle medical emergencies or is the surgery being performed in an office or an unaccredited surgical suite? Remember the old saying “Are you comparing apples to apples”? These significant safety differences may even be small differences in the price quotes but obviously are VERY big considerations when choosing a plastic surgeon.
All consultations are not the same Every plastic surgeon has a different approach to consultations with prospective patients. Some treat it as a quick visit where you come in and they tell you what they would recommend. Short and sweet!
Our approach is quite different We treat the consultation appointment as an integral part of the surgery decision making process. First of all, this appointment is with Dr. Alexander. We consider this very important. He spends time going over your past medical history (because how else would we even know if you’re candidate for any type of surgery. He performs a physical exam and discusses what you want to change about your body or face. He then has an honest and collaborative conversation with you about surgery. I use the word conversation because it’s not just Dr. Alexander telling you what surgery you need; it’s Dr. Alexander discussing surgical options and outcomes with you. This is the important difference; we all need to be on the same page when discussing your surgical plan and its pros and cons. You have to be part of the conversation too! This can’t be one-sided. You need to feel comfortable with Dr. Alexander’s plan and his approach to your care. One patient described choosing the right surgeon as “like falling in love, you just know it when you feel it.” I don’t expect everyone who calls me asking about a procedure to know all the right questions to ask. I feel it’s my job to help them with that and to make suggestions, answer questions and to explain these differences. You can bet I’m prepared when through the phone line I hear “Is there really a difference between plastic surgeons?” And if you’re still not sure, call me, we’ll talk!
