How to: Choose a Plastic Surgeon Dr. Nina Naidu, MD, FACS As with any surgery, the single most important factor in achieving the results you desire is selecting the best physician for your procedure. Choosing the right board certified plastic surgeon is a responsibility that you shouldn’t take lightly. Never let yourself be pressured into making fast decisions. Instead, take as much time as you need to do your own research and check a surgeon's training and experience very carefully
Communication Skills In addition to your surgeon’s medical experience, you should consider his or her communication skills as well. Make sure your surgeon takes the time to answer your questions and that he or she speaks to you in a patient, respectful manner which makes you feel comfortable.
Office Environment You’ll be spending a lot of time interacting with your physician’s staff, so you’ll also want to make sure you feel comfortable with them. There are many ways to find a qualified physician. Referrals from friends or family members who’ve had breast augmentation is always a great way to start.
Certifications In addition, you may contact a number of respected professional organizations to ensure your plastic surgeon has the right education and training, including:
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
ASPS Board Certification Many health care providers are now performing plastic surgery procedures, but that doesn’t mean they’re all qualified to perform plastic surgery. ASPS Member Surgeons are trained in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of all types. ASPS Member Surgeons meet rigorous standards: Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery® (ABPS) Complete at least six years of surgical training following medical school with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training Pass comprehensive oral and written exams Graduate from an accredited medical school
Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety each year Perform surgery in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified surgical facilities Adheres to a strict Code of Ethics Do not be confused by other official sounding boards and certifications. The ABPS is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which has approved medical specialty boards since 1934. There is no ABMS recognized certifying board with "cosmetic surgery" in its name.
Questions to Ask your Plastic Surgeon Use this list to help your decision in choosing a qualified plastic surgeon at your consultation: Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons? Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery? How many years of plastic surgery training have you had? Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals? Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified? How many procedures of this type have you performed? Am I a good candidate for this procedure? Where and how will you perform my procedure? How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery? What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure? How are complications handled? What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of my surgery? Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for each procedure and what results are reasonable for me? These questions will not only help you to vet your plastic surgeon but also to get a feel of his or her bedside manner and if you feel comfortable with this physician as your plastic surgeon. Whether you choose Dr. Naidu as your plastic surgeon or not, we want to be able to give you the tools for a successful and safe plastic surgery procedure.
Other Resources There are a number of online resources available to you when considering plastic surgery. Check out a few below:
Plasticsurgery.org: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world. The society represents 94% of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States and more than a thousand plastic surgeons worldwide. ASPS is a great resource to learn about the quality of care that your plastic surgeon should provide. The mission of ASPS is to advance quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery. The ASPS website welcomes millions of visitors a year and is one of the most popular online destinations for those interested in learning about plastic surgery procedures and finding a highly-trained, qualified plastic surgeon.
Realself.com: Since its founding in 2006, RealSelf has created the world's largest community for learning and sharing information about cosmetic surgery, dermatology, dentistry, and other elective treatments. Their extensive collections of reviews, photos, and doctor Q&A make RealSelf the most trusted resource for those who are looking for help beyond the beauty counter. RealSelf.com aims to connect a community of patients and physicians together. Dr. Naidu is proud to be a Top Doctor of RealSelf, a recognition awarded to fewer than 10% of doctors on RealSelf. This status is earned by achieving high patient satisfaction, receiving favorable feedback on their expert answers, and investing time in answering patient questions. Find Dr. Naidu on RealSelf and ask her a question!
As always, please always feel free to contact us for any questions you may have at 212-452-1230.