How to Choose a Charleston Plastic Surgeon

If you are considering plastic surgery, selecting your surgeon is the most important decision you will make. Your surgeon can make all the difference in the quality of care you receive and the results you achieve. Your plastic surgeon should be someone who helps you through the entire process with care and support.

Why Does It Matter?

Your choice in plastic surgery practice will affect:

• The information and guidance you get to help you prepare for your procedure
• The quality of your surgery and your follow-up care
• Your overall satisfaction level with the entire experience
• Your safety

American Society of Plastic Surgeons Past President Malcolm Roth, MD, FACS, recently appeared on Katie Couric’s daytime talk show Katie to discuss the importance of choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon. Watch a clip from the program here:

“You would never buy a discount parachute because your life could depend upon it,” says Dr. Roth. “The same can be said for discounted, quick-fix plastic surgery.”

How to Assess Your Plastic Surgeon’s Training

Many surgeons describe themselves as cosmetic or aesthetic surgeons, even when they have little or no experience and no formal training in cosmetic surgery. They may have a background in general surgery rather than plastic or reconstructive surgery – two completely different areas of medicine. To be sure your surgeon has training in plastic surgery, make sure they’re board-certified in plastic surgery or facial plastic surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons oversees this process, and your plastic surgeon should be a member. If you choose an ASPS Member Surgeon, you can be confident that your surgeon:

• Has been certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Has at least three years of plastic surgery training and experience, and six years of total surgical training and experience. Non-member surgeons may have no plastic surgery experience or training.
• Adheres to a strict ethical code, including a commitment to operate only in accredited medical facilities
• Strives to remain at the forefront of medical practice with continuing education
• Treats patients like partners in procedures and respects your treatment choices

For all these reasons, it is often a good first step to limit your search to ASPS Member Surgeons when looking for a cosmetic surgeon.

You may also find surgeons belonging to the Aesthetic Society, or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. This group focuses more on aesthetic plastic surgery whereas ASPS encompasses both plastic and reconstructive surgery. Both are good indicators that your chosen surgeon will be a good fit.

Plastic Surgery Red Flags to Watch Out For

These things are considered serious red flags when selecting a plastic surgeon:

• Your consultation feels like a sales pitch
• The surgeon promotes a much more extensive procedure than you desire
• You cannot see before and after pictures of actual patients
• The surgeon is reluctant to answer questions, especially about training, their medical university, experience, or possible complications
• The surgeon spends very little time with you, quickly passing you off to staff
• The practice offers very low prices that seem too good to be true

If your consultation does not leave you with a positive feeling about your cosmetic surgeon, you should keep looking. You should feel that your surgeon was open with you and was genuinely listening to your questions, concerns, and goals. You should feel confident about the surgeon’s training, experience, and ability to perform your procedure.

What If My Plastic Surgeon Recommends Non-Surgical Solutions?

If your plastic surgeon recommends a non-surgical procedure instead of surgery, that’s a good sign. A good plastic surgeon will recognize when a surgical procedure would possibly create a bad result, take away from your facial appearance, or create additional risk despite your aesthetic goals. The best plastic surgeons want to maintain your natural beauty and will not perform an invasive procedure like nose surgery if a better alternative exists, such as dermal fillers. The ultimate goal is a more confident you, regardless of how you get there.

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Charleston, SC

Dr. Widenhouse is a top, board-certified plastic surgeon serving the greater Charleston, SC area. He invites you to visit him at Port City Plastic Surgery in Charleston, South Carolina to learn about his qualifications and how he can help you get the best possible results from your plastic surgery. Please schedule a consultation today.