Plastic surgery … is surgery. A fact that seems quite obvious, but one that is commonly glossed over by patients who are so focused on having a particular procedure done that they neglect to take a moment and consider the seriousness and potential risks of their decision.
We ask that anyone considering plastic surgery, PLEASE review this thorough list of “10 Things to Ask Before Having Plastic Surgery” before undergoing any surgical procedure. If you are considering Kevitch, Chung & Jan for plastic surgery, please do not hesitate to ask us any of the following. We would be glad to provide you with answers.
- Ask if your Surgeon is Board Certified
First and foremost, ask if your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Legally, any surgeon can perform plastic surgery procedures. So choosing a surgeon who has been certified by the ABPS is the best way to ensure your surgeon has had extensive training specifically in plastic surgery. This is the only board which issues certifications based on extremely rigorous criteria including six to nine years of training dedicated to plastic surgery.
- Ask if your Surgeon has Operating Privileges
Ask if your surgeon has hospital operating privileges to perform your procedure. These privileges are granted to surgeons based on rigorous credentialing by their peers. This is not the case in an office setting, which often have little to no oversight.
- Ask if Surgery is done in an Accredited Ambulatory Facility
Ask if your surgeon operates in an accredited ambulatory facility. This one is very important. Accredited ambulatory facilities have been reviewed and identified as capable of responding to medical emergencies. This is your assurance that the team can take care of you if there is a problem and that they will have all the life support capabilities, training, and equipment to respond to life-threatening situations.
- Ask about your Surgeon’s Experience
Ask how often your surgeon performs the procedure. This is not a question of specific numbers, it is about experience and expertise. Find out what your surgeon’s relationship is with the procedure you are seeking. The best surgeons not only perform the procedure regularly, but they also publish in medical journals, they perform research, they engage in teaching and training, and offer contributions to the advancement of the procedure.
- Ask to View Photographs
Ask to see some before and after photos of patients who have had the procedure done by your surgeon. Examine these photos carefully. Make sure you are not paying attention to irrelevant factors such as lighting, but to the details of the outcome of the surgery. Every cosmetic surgeon has their own aesthetic sense – their definition of beauty. Make sure you own aesthetic sense matches well with your surgeon’s.
- Ask about Risks and Complications
Ask about the risks related to the procedure as well as the benefits. There is risk to any surgical procedure and you should be fully aware of all the risks before choosing to have your procedure.
- Ask if the Surgeon uses a Certified Anesthetist
Ask who does the anesthesia. It’s vital that the he or she is a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Anesthesia is one of the riskiest aspects of most cosmetic procedures it’s very important to make sure that your surgeon uses an anesthetist who has been trained and certified by the strict criteria and rigorous training associated with the MD and CRNA accreditations.
- Ask about your Recovery
Ask about your recovery, especially the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. Specifically, ask when you will be able to return to work, when you can return to strenuous activity such as exercise, and how long until you should start to see your final results.
- Ask for a Second Opinion
Ask for a second opinion and seek a consultation with other Board Certified plastic surgeons. And do not feel embarrassed or uncomfortable doing so. It’s good to receive additional perspectives to help you decide which of many options to take, or to affirm that a specific treatment is indeed appropriate for your specific situation.
- Ask Real People
Ask for information from real people – family, friends, referrals, and other physicians. Ask for references from other patients who your surgeon has operated on, and talk with these patients about their experiences. Do not rely solely on the internet or the media and marketing networks to provide you with information about a procedure. There is a considerable amount of misleading information out there and patients should consider the accuracy of information from unverified sources. Be thorough. Do your homework!