How to find a plastic surgeon you can trust
You’ve decided to have a cosmetic procedure. Congratulations are in order because you’re about to boost your appearance and your self-confidence! Whether it’s a breast augmentation or a breast reduction, a facelift or a blepharoplasty, choosing the right plastic surgeon is always the most important step in the process. But how can you choose the one that has the right training, skills and certifications to handle the procedure you’re looking to have?
Sure, you can count on Google to help you select a qualified plastic surgeon, but searching terms like „best plastic surgeon in London” will return hundreds of names, and going through each and every website can be a little overwhelming. In order for you not to waste your time, here’s five things you should look for when you’re choosing your plastic surgeon:
1. Check the qualifications
Before you schedule a consultation, you will want to check if the surgeon in question has the proper credentials, meaning if he/she is a registered surgeon on the General Medical Council online register - this medical register shows the type of registration a doctor holds and their trainings.
Another thing to check is if the surgeon is a member of a professional association - for example, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). Members of this association are closely examined so you can be sure they are highly trained and qualified, and that they have relevant experience and insurance to perform your procedure.
One last thing to check is if the clinic is registered - all clinics that provide cosmetic surgery in the UK must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
2. Check previous results
Trustworthy plastic surgeons should be able to show real-life results of their work. If you can’t seem to find a before and after section on their website and they are not willing to show you this kind of photos of their work, you should be aware.
3. Check their online reviews
Former patients’ experiences can give you a better understanding of how a plastic surgeon interacts with a patient, about their approach or you can find out thing people liked or disliked.
Choose a plastic surgeon that has consistent high ratings and good reviews from their patients.
Platforms where you can check reviews are: Real Self, Trustpilot, the plastic surgeon’s website and Facebook page.
4. Meet the surgeon
Always book a consultation before making your final decision! You should be able to communicate freely with your surgeon, you should feel listened to and comfortable enough to discuss your aesthetic goals, your medical history, your lifestyle and any other questions that you might have. Look for a plastic surgeon that is honest and realistic about the results you can expect and that can offer you guidance through the recovery and can take care of you if something unexpected happens.
Although it may take a few tries before you meet the best plastic surgeon for you, when you do you will feel much more confident about surgery and the entire experience will be more enjoyable.
Questions you should ask your surgeon during consultation
How long it will take
How the procedure will be done
What type of anaesthesia is needed
What to expect after the procedure: pain, recovery, risks
What is the most common complication
What aftercare to expect
How much it will cost
All patients seeking plastic surgery procedures should do their homework before choosing their surgeon. This set of criteria will help you choose the best plastic surgeon for your needs.