If you’ve ever had a consultation for plastic surgery, you might think you’re the one making all the decisions. But here’s an important secret: Your plastic surgeon should also be evaluating you to make sure you make a good team. The key to a successful partnership lies in mutual trust and understanding. Here are 5 things to ask when searching for the best plastic surgeon for your unique needs.
“There are many plastic surgeons for a patient to choose from, and the consultation is the first step in establishing a rapport. People need to recognize that selecting a plastic surgeon is the start of a relationship where we both need to establish a mutual shared vision.”
– Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore, interview with Cliché magazine
What Should I Look for in a Plastic Surgeon?
In seeking that shared vision, you’ll want to answer a few important questions in your search for the right plastic surgeon. These include:
#1. What Motivates the Surgeon?
It’s helpful to know what inspires your surgeon on a daily basis. You’ll know you’re on the right track if they are driven by a desire to help people feel better about themselves. Asking your surgeon questions about their motivations and what they enjoy most about their work can give you important insights into their passion and commitment to patient care.
If you get the feeling, however, that a surgeon is only out for financial gain or is simply not interested in getting to know your own personal story, that surgeon will likely not be a good fit for you. While they may still be competent at what they do, if you don’t feel comfortable with them or think they have your best interests at heart, it’s crucial you keep searching.
#2. Does the Surgeon Have an Artistic Eye?
It takes years of higher education, training, and experience to become a board-certified plastic surgeon. But there is one aspect you cannot learn in school, and that is artistic ability. Plastic surgery is as much an art as it is a science, and there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Often, creativity and vision are the difference between natural-looking results and noticeable results. I recommend getting to know your plastic surgeon’s aesthetic sensibilities through their before and after gallery. While this is an excellent starting point, you’ll need to speak to your surgeon in a consultation setting to determine whether their approach aligns with your vision for your body.
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#3. Do You Feel Rushed or Pushed Into Making a Decision?
It’s my belief that a person should never feel pushed into plastic surgery. In fact, if a nonsurgical alternative might be better, you should feel confident that your surgeon will recommend that. This level of honesty and professional integrity is vital when it comes to building trust between patient and physician.
A good surgeon will take the time to explain all of your options, determine if your procedure is or isn’t appropriate for you, and help you make an informed decision. They should help you set realistic expectations about what your surgery can achieve, and you should never feel pressured or rushed into booking your procedure. Similarly, if your surgeon directs you to a different procedure option or advises combining procedures, make sure you understand why first.
#4. Is Your Plastic Surgeon Board Certified?
Expertise and a track record of reliably safe and smooth surgeries is a non-negotiable when searching for a plastic surgeon. Look for board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which indicates that the surgeon has undergone rigorous training and adheres to high ethical standards. Read more about why board certification matters in our related blog post.
#5. What Do Other Patients Have To Say?
Hearing from other patients can provide valuable insights into a surgeon’s skill and level of patient care. Look for testimonials on the surgeon’s website and read reviews on independent sites like RealSelf and Healthgrades. Positive feedback from previous patients can reassure you that you’re making the right choice. Don’t hesitate to ask the surgeon for references during your consultation either!
Not sure what to look for when it comes to patient testimonials? Our related blog post can help bring some much-needed clarity.
Trust Is a Two-Way Street
As I mentioned in the beginning, your consultation is as much about you evaluating your plastic surgeon as it should be about them evaluating you. One of the main things I look for in an ideal patient is a healthy perspective. I’m curious to know about your motivations as well!
Why? Because it’s my goal to look out for your health and well-being first and foremost. Sometimes, I see potential patients who may not be in the right mindset for surgery. Often, they have had big lifestyle changes or emotional events happen recently. When a patient is emotionally stable and in good spirits, it tends to lead to a better outcome.
I also want to make sure that my patients have realistic expectations. Do you expect to walk into a plastic surgery practice and suddenly be completely wrinkle-free, or do you expect to look like an entirely different person? Then it’s probably not going to be a good fit.
Take the Next Step
I hope this gives you a little food for thought when going into that all-important consultation. If you’d like to chat some more about your aesthetic goals and procedure options, I invite you to request a consultation or call Rockmore Plastic Surgery at (518) 328-3330 to get started.
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