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American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery member surgeons:
- Are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery® or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada after passing rigorous written and oral exams
- Have at least six years of training and experience in surgery, with three years specifically in plastic surgery
- Annually complete continuing medical education, including patient safety training
- Perform surgery only in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified surgical facilities
- Adhere to a strict code of ethics
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Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon |
To explore the safety issues of cosmetic surgery and be sure your physician can provide the best care and results, ask your plastic surgeon the following questions:
- Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery?
- Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
- Where and how will you perform my procedure?
- Do you have hospital privileges to perform my procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
- Is the surgical facility accredited by a nationally or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
- Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
- What will be expected of me to get the best results?
- What is the length of the recovery period, and what kind of recovery help will I need?
- Will I need to take time off work for my recovery? If so, for how long?
- Are there alternative procedures I could consider? What are their pros and cons?
- Who on your staff will be performing my procedure and what are their qualifications?
- What risks and complications are associated with my procedure and how are they handled?
- What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome?
- Do you have before and after photos that illustrate this procedure and show results that are reasonable for me to expect?
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| Questions About Injectables |
You should be fully informed about injectable procedures as well. Ask your plastic surgeon the following questions:
- Is the injectable procedure I have chosen sufficient for the result I am trying to achieve?
- What can I expect in terms of swelling, discomfort, and recovery time following the injectable treatment?
- Is the cosmetic injectable approved by the FDA?
- If my injector is a nurse or physician's assistant, will my plastic surgeon be on site and supervising the procedure?
- Am I aware that injectable procedures do not provide permanent results?
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| Questions to Ask Yourself |
Finally, you need to ask: Is surgery right for you? The following questions will help you determine if you're ready for plastic surgery:
- Am I physically healthy, eating right, and not smoking?
- Am I prepared to make necessary lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, in order to have my surgery?
- Do I have realistic expectations for the results of my procedure?
- Am I exploring plastic surgery for myself or to fit someone else's ideals?
- Have I spent time testing my knowledge about plastic surgery and exploring the qualifications of plastic surgeons?
- Have I told my plastic surgeon about medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments (including those that involve fillers, facial shaping, and Botox)?
- Have I reviewed with my plastic surgeon my current use of medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, and drugs?
- Am I ready to do my part to ensure the success of my procedure?
- Do I know the procedure's after-effects and recovery time?
- Do I have a responsible adult to care for me for at least 24 hours (or as long as recommended) after my procedure?
- Have all my questions been thoroughly addressed by my plastic surgeon?
- Have I read, understood, and signed informed consent documents for my procedure?
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