Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

The safety and results of your cosmetic surgery largely depend on the plastic surgeon you choose. Plastic surgery can be a positive and potentially life-changing experience and a highly individualized experience. Here are some tips for choosing a qualified plastic surgeon.

Look for Board Certification in Plastic Surgery

Any potential surgeon, such as Dr. Cho, should be board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This means they have undergone a rigorous board certification process by the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. You should also consider whether the provider is an American Society of Plastic Surgeons member like Dr. Cho. The ASPS is well-respected; its members must also maintain rigorous training and patient safety standards to qualify for membership. These credentials signal you can trust the surgeon to be highly trained and qualified to perform your procedure.

Confirm the Surgeon’s Experience

Each area of cosmetic surgery requires different skills, and cosmetic surgeons may have further subspecialties. When choosing a surgeon who is board certified in cosmetic surgery and has substantial experience in the procedure you are considering, ask the following questions:

How have you trained?
How long have you been performing this procedure?
How many times have you performed this surgery?

During consultations, don't hesitate to ask for additional patient pictures, case studies, or testimonials. Patient forum reviews can also provide honest patient feedback about their experiences with potential candidates.

Ensure They Provide Excellent and Consistent Results

If you have ensured that your potential surgeon has the best credentials and experience, you are well on your way to making the right choice. However, they also need to produce exceptional results. You can determine this by reviewing the surgeon's gallery of patient cases and before and after photos. Ensure these include at least two examples of "after" photos taken a year or more post-surgery.

Pay the closest attention to patients who have similar qualities to you. For example:

For facial procedures, look for patients who have a similar facial structure, are around your age, and have some of the same concerns
For breast procedures, look for patients with a similar torso and breast shape to give you a better idea of how that surgeon reshapes patients with your concerns and body type
For body procedures, consider patients with a similar shape to you, but be open to considering other options as you may find that a concern you thought could be treated with liposuction is best treated with abdominoplasty

You should also look for consistency in a surgeon’s results for all patients with the procedure you are considering. Do their results look like you want to look after your surgery? Consider whether these results align with your aesthetic vision.

Find Someone You Trust

Patient interaction is the difference between an excellent plastic surgeon and a great one. When choosing a plastic surgeon, consider whether they are caring, compassionate, and empathetic. Do they project confidence and have good communication skills?

Having a personal rapport and ease of communication with your surgeon and surgical staff is crucial to feeling confident about your plastic surgery; when you find a surgeon you connect with, you can have open, honest, and essential discussions. If you are happy and feel like you are being heard, your experience will be easier and less stressful, improving your recovery period and the outcome.

Your best surgeon will give you honest, straightforward guidance on the best approach to your situation and the realistic results you can expect. They will also outline a realistic timeline for recovery based on your medical history and help you through the recovery process.

Choose a Qualified Plastic Surgeon Choose Integrated Aesthetics

Finding a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has plenty of experience in your procedure of choice is critical to getting the results you desire. Choosing an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon you connect with can help you toward a happier, more confident you.

Dr. Cho is an expert in surgical and non-surgical solutions. His patients appreciate his artistic eye and comprehensive approach to aesthetics that combines cutting-edge technology with surgery to achieve results that wow.