Plastic Surgery Articles

The field of Plastic Surgery has grown dramatically in the last twenty years and continues to grow as more and more consumers are looking for safe and effective ways to achieve their body ideal. But as a potential patient, how do you know who to choose for your Plastic Surgery and what qualifications are important? As I tell my patients, it is much easier to get a good result the first time around than to have to undergo another or multiple procedures down the road to fix the results of bad Plastic Surgery. And although a gut feeling can often help, in choosing a Plastic Surgeon you need to know the basics.

A few simple steps can potentially spare you in avoiding less trained surgeons and assure that your procedure and recovery will go as smoothly as possible:

• Make sure that your plastic surgeon is well trained and Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Many “Cosmetic Surgeons” claim to be board certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery but, in reality, this board is not actually recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and so is technically not an official Board. In addition, many of these surgeons are not Plastic Surgeons although they claim to be able to perform Plastic Surgery.
• Ask what your surgeon’s training is actually in. Again, many “cosmetic surgeons” claim to have sufficient experience in the field of Plastic Surgery. Ask them specifically about their training (where they trained, what they trained in, and how many procedures in this area that they have actually performed).
• Inform your Plastic Surgeon about any medications you are currently taking and give a full medical history. This is critical prior to any procedure (no matter how minor). There is enough variability and unpredictability with any procedure. The more your surgeon knows before your procedure, the better able he or she is to predict any potential risks.
• Make sure that the surgical facility is accredited and that there are skilled, licensed personnel that will administer and monitor you before, during, and after your procedure.
• Finally, make sure that you feel comfortable with both the surgeon as well as their staff. Surgery itself can be intimidating and so the more you know and the better you feel before, the better you will feel after.

While good credentials cannot guarantee a successful outcome, they are a critical step in the right direction. To very whether your Plastic Surgeon is Board Certified, contact the American Board of Plastic Surgery or visit their site at www.abplsurg.org.

But now that you know your surgeon is Board Certified, what other qualities should you look for? This is a difficult question because everyone is different with varying priorities. I personally see Plastic Surgery as both science as well as art and feel that an aesthetic eye is critical to a successful outcome. I emphasize to all of my patients my background in the arts as well as my focus on the end result. I strongly feel that to achieve a good outcome, your first have to know what it is that you are trying to achieve. A sculptor cannot merely tap on a stone and expect a beautiful shape to emerge. The same is true with Plastic Surgery. A good Plastic Surgeon will discuss with you, at length, your goals and your expectations before moving forward. In many ways, surgical procedures are like a journey. They begin with a single step forward and proceed to a chosen end point. And, like a journey, you should know exactly where you are going before you start. Good results are no accident and careful selection of your Plastic Surgeon can make all the difference in the world.

Contact Denver Plastic Surgeon Gregory A. Buford M.D. Today to setup a consultation.

Written by: Gregory Buford M.D.