Good questions when:

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

• Are you board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

• The ABPS is the only one of the 24 boards approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties that certifies physicians in plastic surgery of the entire body. Their standards are the highest; certification indicates comprehensive training and experience.

• What is your specialty?

• Can I see before and after photos of your work?\012\012

• How many cases like mine do you handle in a year?

• Studies indicate that the more of a particular procedure a doctor performs the better they become. Practice makes perfect!

• Where will the procedure be performed?

• If your procedure is performed in an outpatient facility or an office, make sure it's certified and licensed by the state.

• If my procedure requires anesthesia will it be administered by a board certified anesthesiologist?

• Make sure a board certified anesthesiologist will be in the room from start to finish.

• What is your pain management philosophy?

• What kind of prescriptions are typically required? How much pain should be expected?

• What kind of post-op care will I need?

• Does this procedure necessitate an overnight stay\012Will I have drains or incisions that require special care?\012Plan ahead to find out if you'll need a private nurse or certain supplies. You'll also want to ask how long you'll need to take off from work, school, etc. to heal properly.

• What is the total cost of the procedure?

• In order to avoid surprises, be sure that the quoted price includes: the doctor's fees,\012lab work, surgical and supply fees, medication, overnight stays and pre- and post-op visits.\012

• Do you offer financing options?