The world of advertising and public relations has brought physicians' names to the public on a continuing basis. Ten years ago if a doctor called himself a plastic surgeon, the patient knew precisely what that term meant. Recently, doctors in various sub-specialties such as dermatologists, gynecologists, ophthalmologists, and even dentists are performing plastic surgery procedures. This can leave prospective patients utterly confused about how to find the best and most qualified surgeons.
But how, wonders Dr. Ackerman, a board certified Newport Beach plastic surgeon "is a prospective patient to know who is a diligent, excellent, caring physician and who is a charlatan?" Dr. Ackerman wants to disseminate information the public can use and heed as caution when selecting a plastic surgeon in a country now brimming with doctors who call themselves "plastic surgeons."
Finding a plastic surgeon
The first step to choosing a plastic surgeon is to develop a list of names. There are several sources, some being better than others. According to Dr. Ackerman, "word of mouth is a great place to start the search as one will always boast of the creative handiwork of a flawless facelift." Confer with friends who have undergone plastic surgery for the names of their surgeons, or ask your family physician. Hospitals are also a great source; ask for the names of plastic surgeons on staff. Also, The Plastic Surgery Information Service of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) offers a search for plastic surgeons by name, state, or zip code by calling toll free, 1-800-635-0635, or visiting their web page, plasticsurgery.org/lookup/search.cfm.
Doing your homework
Once you have composed a good list of plastic surgeons, you should check their credentials, as this will make you an informed consumer. More important than where a surgeon went to school is the type of training they have received. You want to be sure that the surgeon completed an accredited residency program specifically in plastic surgery. The American Medical Association (AMA) lists where and what type of training a physician has undergone: <ama-assn.org/iwcf/iwcfmgr206/aps?18817608>. A physician performing plastic surgery should also be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Although board certification is not the only measure of professional competence, it indicates that the doctor has completed the necessary education and experience to bear this distinction. Beware of those physicians who are "board certified," but not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). "For example, The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is not approved by the ABMS and neither are a host of other so-called 'boards,'" advises Dr. Ackerman, who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is the only plastic surgery board approved by the ABMS at this time.
The Consultation
The initial consultation with a doctor is another key step in assessing if you have found the right plastic surgeon for you. It is important to develop a good rapport with the surgeon. "You don't have to like your surgeon as a friend, but do you think s/he has you, the patient at heart at his first consideration?" asks Dr. Ackerman. During the consultation, the doctor will evaluate you as a candidate for surgery. But, this is also a chance for you to evaluate the surgeon. The surgeon should answer all of your questions and address each of your concerns. Remember, this is your chance to express any doubts and ask questions about the procedure. Also, Dr. Ackerman advises you to ask for the names of patients who have undergone the surgery you are considering, and for permission to speak with them about their experiences. Below are some more good questions to consider asking the surgeon:
-- How long is the estimated operating time?
-- What is the expected recovery time?
-- Where will the surgery be performed- in a surgical center or hospital?
-- What kind of anesthesia will be used?
-- Will postoperative medication be necessary?
-- Will there be any noticeable scarring?
-- What realistic results can I expect?
-- Will the doctor be performing the procedure from first cut to last stitch?
-- What are the risks associated with this procedure?
Surfing the web for a surgeon
Today there are tons of websites devoted to helping you find a plastic surgeon. Certain websites only refer surgeons who are board certified, whereas others do not. It can be easy to overlook this detail when performing your search, but it is extremely important to keep this in mind.
Also, thousands of plastic surgeons now have elaborate websites of their own. Although some first rate plastic surgeons can be counted among these Internet devotees, should patients really choose their surgeon based on information found on the net? Is there anything on a website that should signal consumer beware? What obligation do "docs on the net" owe to prospective patients? If patients are insistent upon finding medical information on the web, are some sights more reliable than others are? Who are wise professionals to turn to for a listing of reputable, medical websites? What are some of the dangers in getting medical information from the web? Dr. Ackerman is available to address these very timely issues and more.
Dr. Ackerman can be reached directly at 949-759-3284, or you can visit his website at http://www.doctorackerman.com.
