As reported by the Sun Sentinel in Florida
This was a great article which has been edited for use here. There is no foolproof way to choose a plastic surgeon or to guarantee your results. However, a recent article in Florida's Sun-Sentinel listed the following as the top ten after their research. Although it was drafted around Florida agencies, etc., the same principles would apply to your search in your state and the text has been amended to be state neutral.
Check with the appropriate medical board in your state to see whether the surgeon is licensed and whether disciplinary action has been taken against him. Find your state's medical licensing authority at http://www.docboard.org/.
Check medical malpractice suits filed with the clerk of the county or circuit court in your area. This may require a visit to the courthouse to review files. Malpractice suits don't necessarily mean a doctor has problems, but state officials (in Florida, according to the Sun Sentinel), consider three medical malpractice judgments against a doctor within five years to be a warning sign. (Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration has a list of these doctors on its Internet site. Also, the Florida Department of Insurance lists closed medical malpractice claims against doctors on its Internet site at www.doi.state.fl.us.) Other states have similar listings which can also be located at http://www.docboard.org/.
Verify credentials and training. Many cosmetic surgeons advertise they are "board-certified." But requirements vary greatly depending on which professional board is cited. Florida recognizes only two plastic surgery boards: the American Board of Plastic Surgery, based in Philadelphia; and the American Board of Facial and Reconstructive Surgery, in Alexandria, Va. Your state may be different. Make sure your doctor is experienced and certified in the type of procedure you are looking for.
Ask the surgeon how often he performs the procedure you want and what the complication rates are.
Ask surgeons whether they have hospital admitting privileges in case of complications after surgery. Call the hospital to verify the information.
Ask for references from trusted family physicians or other doctors knowledgeable about the local medical community. Also, get a checkup from your family doctor to see if you have any health problems that might make cosmetic surgery risky.
Ask whether the surgeon carries medical malpractice insurance, and if not, why not? In Florida, malpractice insurance coverage can be verified by calling the Agency for Health Care Administration toll-free at 888-419-3456. In other states, check with the licensing board. We will have a list of all boards soon. In the meantime, check out the list at http://www.docboard.org/.
Don't feel pressured to agree to more procedures than you want, regardless of the price.
Ask if the person giving the anesthesia is properly certified. He should either be a certified registered nurse anesthetist or an physician anesthesiologist.
Read the patient consent form carefully before signing it. Ask what steps the surgeon will take if complications occur or further surgery is needed and what type of follow-up care will be given.
If you want to contribute to the above ten steps, please feel free to email me at nicole@implantinfo.com. As always, if any links have expired, please notify us at linkreport@implantinfo.com.
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