Posted on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2005
NewBeauty.com

How to Make the Right Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Choice

Content courtesy of NewBeauty
http://www.newbeauty.com/

Your desire for and the decision to undergo any form of cosmetic medical treatment is very personal and serious. Once you've made the choice for treatment, you must also choose a doctor. This decision begins with careful research and an understanding of which qualifications are legitimate for the procedure you want. The screening process continues with your own personal preferences. Then, you must find a comfort level with your doctor and establish a trusting relationship. NewBeauty's goal is to make sense of the confusion and all the variables you must consider. If you've thought about any cosmetic procedure, this comprehensive guide is just what you need to help you choose the doctor that's right for you.

Defining aesthetic and cosmetic surgery

"Aesthetic" and "cosmetic" surgery are synonymous terms used to describe elective medical treatment to enhance your appearance. Both categories fall under the medical specialty of plastic surgery. Plastic surgery encompasses procedures of the face and entire body that are either "aesthetic/cosmetic" or "reconstructive." Reconstructive procedures restore a more normal appearance to the face or body after experiencing the effects of trauma, disease or congenital defects.

Do your homework

Legally, any doctor can offer plastic surgery or cosmetic services regardless of his or her recognized board certification, training and skill level. This means that any medical doctor with the means or desire to market cosmetic services can do so without the proper training. Technically, your gynecologist or internist, or any licensed medical doctor can perform a facelift, a breast lift or even inject Botox. Deciphering credentials can be confusing, and credentials alone are no guarantee. The difference among providers lies in their training and board certification by an appropriate medical specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

In the United States, the ABMS is the umbrella organization for the 24 approved and defined medical specialties. There are many medical boards that do not fall under the ABMS; these credentials are of no value when choosing an appropriate aesthetic surgery provider. Only the very select few specialties defined by the ABMS have core training and rigorous testing specific to cosmetic procedures within that specialty:

-Plastic Surgery: Head to toe, the skin and all that lies within, including the face, breast and body

- Dermatology: The skin, hair and nails

- Otolaryngology: Ears, nose and throat with a specialization for the face, head and neck

- Ophthalmology: The eyelids and surrounding structures

Don't choose a doctor based on credentials alone. Experience and your personal preferences are important, too. Making a choice based on the price of a treatment or procedure is not a good idea either. "There is no such thing as a discount on quality, skilled care," says former ASAPS president and founder Simon Fredricks, MD. "Get consultations fro two or three different doctors. Compare how comfortable you feel with them, their opinions and the approaches they suggest."

Informed consent

Once you have chosen a doctor and are ready to accept treatment, you have entered into a partnership. For cosmetic treatment, your doctor should take the lead by treating you with respect according to the accepted standards in practice. You should pick up on that lead and follow every instruction you are given before, during and after your procedure. The treatment planned and your obligations as a patient will be spelled out to you in the informed consent documents. Prior to undergoing treatment, these documents are presented to you after a full discussion of any associated risks and complications. If treatment involves the use of injected or implanted devices or drugs, informed consent documents must define specific brands, drugs or devices used. Even if the treatment is one you have had in the past, each visit requires your consent and full disclosure of the device or substance to be used during that course of treatment. In the case of breast implants, the brand and type of implant must be defined. Following treatment you must be given a serial number and a warranty card for the implant placed. This is the only type of warranty you will ever receive with any cosmetic procedure.

The staff

No doctor can do it alone. Therefore you need to know who else may be involved in your treatment experience. It is not uncommon for doctors to have patient coordinators, nurses or other support staff participate in your consultation and care. But these staff members should never be a substitute for consulting with the doctor and certainly not a substitute for meeting with the doctor who will perform your surgery or treatment.

Your treatment environment

Surgery can take place in one of three settings: a hospital, an ambulatory surgery center or an office-based surgical facility. Where surgery takes place is often a matter of your doctor's preference as well as your own. According to ASAPS, in 2003, some 75 percent of all cosmetic procedures (surgical and non-surgical) were performed outside of a hospital setting, in either freestanding surgery centers or offices. Therefore, it's very important that the facility where you have your surgery is properly accredited.

Some situations necessitate surgery in a hospital. If the patient is a diabetic, has high blood pressure or other medical conditions, they may need to be in an environment where immediate consultation with experts in other fields is available. For healthy individuals, office-based surgery can be more comfortable. Studies show when you're in an accredited office-based surgery facility, you are as safe as you would be if you were in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center.

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