Cosmetic surgeons Some Questions to Ask

- Are you credentialed and certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery?

- Which hospitals do you have privileges at?

- Are the surgical facilities where you work accredited? You can check on this with:

   * The AAAASF (American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities), www.aaaasf.org/Facilities, or

  * The AAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.), www.aaahc.org/accreditation/search.shtml

- How long have you been doing plastic surgery?

- Can I speak with some of your previous patients about what it was like?

- Am I a good candidate for cosmetic surgery? 

- How long have you been doing this procedure? (i.e., the one you’re interested in having)

- If something goes wrong, what will you do?

You can also check with the state medical board for complaints or malpractice suits against the doctor.

While you’re talking with the cosmetic surgeon, glance around his offices and notice whether they seem to be well organized, clean, and pleasant to be in.

Does the surgeon answer your questions readily? Does he give you enough time to get clear on everything? You want to choose a plastic surgeon you feel comfortable with, one you feel you can trust. Together you can arrive at a clear understanding of what procedure(s) would be best for you, and why, which is the first step towards achieving a happy outcome