Finding a plastic surgeon

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Finding a plastic surgeon

Tuesday, December 29, 1998

By Ellen Mazo, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

According to the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, which promotes quality care through education, research and high professional standards, there are a series of steps patients should take to find a qualified plastic surgeon:

Gather names from friends, doctors, nurses, hospitals and directories that list plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Check credentials. Where did the surgeon go to school? What type of training did he or she receive? Has the surgeon completed an accredited residency in plastic surgery, including two or three years of intensive training in the full spectrum of reconstructive and cosmetic procedures?

A surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery has completed the required educational requirements, has practiced plastic surgery for two years and passed written and oral tests.

Make sure the surgeon has hospital privileges, and that the surgeon is well versed and up-to-date on the procedure being performed.

Ask what societies the surgeon belongs to, then call and ask what membership requirements are.

After narrowing the list of surgeons, go for initial consultations to compare personalities, fees and how they explain the risks involved.

Another educational organization, The American Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery has a toll-free line for patients to obtain referrals of surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

The number is (888) 272-7711. The Web site is www.surgery.org/