During the holidays, many people change their schedules, eating habits, and workout routines. They try to get in touch with what really matters to them the most. A lot of what makes us fulfilled relates back to self esteem, and for some, maybe that means considering facial plastic surgery.  Here are some things we recommend you keep in mind when choosing your plastic surgeon.

Tips on Finding the Best Cosmetic Surgeon for You

Finding the right cosmetic surgeon will be a decision you live with for the rest of your life. Getting the procedure you have always wanted will aide in you feeling more like the person you have dreamed of but if you end up in the wrong hands, it will most certainly cost you health, time, heartache and pain.

That’s why at Jefferson we take deep pride in our level of human interaction with our patients. We truly want you to be the best version of yourself. Below we’ve created some questions to ask while finding the right doctor for you.

Key Point: Board Certification

It’s hard for people to trust whether or not their doctors are the right fit for them when it comes to any type of illness or concern, and that’s why we take great pride in building trust with our clients from day one, but also being the best in our field.

Not only are we board certified, but our doctors have the rare distinction of being among a select group that is Dual Board Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in our fields of expertise.

Key Point: Experience In the Procedure You Want

Now that you know it’s important to find a board certified surgeon, understanding what your doctors and their teams are most skilled at is paramount. There are lot’s of doctors that specialize in other categories that require years of expertise.

At Jefferson we have some of the best doctors in the world; we are constantly learning, teaching and practicing with the best equipment and teams in the world. Our doctors have decades of experience in all of the areas you are looking for.

Key questions to ask your potential cosmetic surgeon:

• How did you train in the procedure I am considering?

• For how long have you been performing this procedure?

• How many times have you performed this type of procedure?

Key Point: Aesthetics

When it comes to finding the right surgeon, you just can’t take a friends recommendation. What some people find beautiful, others may not share the same tastes. It’s important to find a surgeon that deeply understands exactly what you are looking for and the type of person you want to become both physically and spiritually. This will help you with interviewing your surgeons and finding the doctor that’s right for you.

Things to consider:

• Remember what you want personally, and take this from your interviewing process.

• Take a selfie, view yourself in a mirror, and pay attention to the work the doctors show you. Does it match up with what you are looking for?

  • For facial procedures, look for patients that have a similar facial structure, are around your age, and have some of the same concerns, whether it’s a sagging neck or prominent hump on the nose.

  • For breast procedures, look for patients who have a similar torso and breast shape. For instance, if you have narrow shoulders and widely-spaced, small, asymmetrical breasts, patients with those qualities in the before images will give you a better sense of how that surgeon tailors a procedure to patients with your concerns and body type.

  • For body procedures, look for patients with a similar shape to you. So if you tend to carry extra weight around your hips, or have a sagging tummy, see how the doctor helped patients like you. Hint: Be open to considering related body procedures, as you may find that a concern you thought could be treated with liposuction is best treated with abdominoplasty.

• How consistent are the surgeon’s results for all patients who’ve had the procedure you are considering?

Key Point: Emotional Connection

Surgery is a big process, and you will be spending a lot of time with your surgeon. Make sure they are someone you can connect with on a personal level, including their support team. At Jefferson, we pride ourselves first and foremost, at making sure our patients not only feel comfortable, but safe and secure in our hands.

Things to ask yourself:

• Do I like spending time with this surgeon?

• Do I feel like I can trust this surgeon to recommend what’s safe and right for me?

• Would I feel comfortable asking this surgeon any question I might have throughout the process?

• Do I feel comfortable disclosing my full medical history and habits to this surgeon? (This is critically important to your safety!)

Key Point: Safety & the Operating Facility

Your safety during surgery depends in large part on the anesthetist and the operating facility. accredited operating rooms include key life support systems just in case something goes wrong.

Things to ask and look for:

• Ask your surgeon where they perform surgery, and find out that facility’s level of accreditation. Look for AAAASF, AAAHC or JCAHO operating facility certification.

• Ask about the anesthetist’s qualifications. For safety, you want either a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) or a Board Certified Anesthesiologist administering your anesthesia.

Key Point: Customer Service

Throughout the process of improving your appearance, you want to be sure you are being served and treated well. Some of that will be obvious a few minutes after you walk in the door of cosmetic surgeon’s office. Here are some tips on other things to consider.

Things to ask and look for:

• Is the staff friendly and helpful?

• Do I get helpful materials that fully prepare me for the risks and realities of surgery and recovery?

• Are all fees clearly stated? Is the quote all-inclusive?

• When I contact the practice, do I receive a prompt reply?

While these are just a few important questions, getting any type of major surgery is a life altering decision. At Jefferson, people come first. Please schedule a free consultation with us, and see why we do things differently.