Cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is a very popular subject these days. Make a search on the internet for cosmetic or plastic surgery and you will get millions of results - web sites of plastic surgeons of different nationalities, various procedures available, advice for cheap plastic surgery, before and after photos, celebrity patients, clinics and surgery travel packages for various countries, news from around the world, and more.
There is an increasing number of individuals from all walks of life who undergo cosmetic surgery each year. How should someone considering plastic surgery select a plastic surgeon and make an informed decision? Patients considering cosmetic surgery should know that choosing the right surgeon is the single most important decision they will make. Today, many doctors perform cosmetic plastic surgery but not all of them have trained as plastic surgeons. Once doctors get their medical degrees, they may practice any specialty, even if they have not completed advanced training in that field. And so, a doctor who performs cosmetic plastic surgery is not necessarily trained as a plastic surgeon. He may have merely observed the procedure or taken a short course or workshop. To ensure the best results for the surgery you are considering, choose an authentic plastic surgeon with the specialized training and experience that is necessary for the success of your surgery.
As you visit the websites of plastic surgeons, they should provide you with basic information about plastic surgery and the various procedures available. You should be able to find information about the surgeon's formal training and experience. From the website, you should also be able to get an idea about the surgeon's basic approach and philosophy on cosmetic surgery and patient care.
Training
Select a surgeon who has completed at least five to six years of formal training in plastic and reconstructive surgery in accredited training hospitals. This includes three to five years of general surgery residency and two to three years of plastic surgery residency. In the Philippines, these doctors are either board-eligible or board-certified by the Philippine Board of Plastic Surgery. Doctors who have completed residency training in plastic and reconstructive surgery are the only doctors who can rightfully claim to be plastic surgeons. Many doctors who perform cosmetic surgery procedures are board-certified in specialties other than plastic surgery or may even lack such credentials.
Experience
Good credentials provide a reasonable indication of a doctor's qualification to perform cosmetic surgery, and should serve as the basic starting point. Patients should then ask the surgeon about his experience. How long has he been in practice and how many times has he done the procedure you are considering? The broader your surgeon's experience, the greater your chances for a successful surgery.
Hospital Privileges
Another factor to consider is whether the surgeon has hospital privileges. Before a hospital grants privileges to physicians, they usually require certain standards of training and competence to be met. Although many cosmetic surgery procedures may be safely done in outpatient clinics, others should only be done in a hospital setting. It is best to choose a surgeon who has hospital privileges.
Consultation
Find a plastic surgeon whom you feel comfortable with. You should be able to communicate easily with him, ask him all your questions and discuss your needs and expectations. Make sure you have all the facts you need in order to make an informed judgement.
A good plastic surgeon should be able to evaluate whether you are a good candidate for the surgery you are considering. He should be able to educate you about your options and give you advice about the best technique for your needs. If there are less invasive or non-surgical procedures that could fulfill your needs, the surgeon should be able to tell you about them.
Realize that pre- and post-operative photos of the surgeon's patients can be useful in helping you understand the surgery but are no guarantee that your results will be similar. Every individual is different.
Beware of any doctor who tells you there are no possible risks involved in surgery. There are always risks, and these should be discussed frankly.
Never allow a doctor to talk you into any procedure you don't want. A reputable plastic surgeon will let the patient suggest what he or she wants done and then advise them on what is or is not possible.
Be skeptical of any doctor who seems to avoid talking about his or her training and professional qualifications.
Price
Although price is definitely a factor when considering elective surgery, don't "bargain shop" for plastic surgery. Any surgery is still surgery and has some uncertainty and risk involved. When price is the primary factor for choosing a plastic surgeon, risks increase. The success of your surgery is largely dependent on your choice of surgeon and professional qualifications and experience should be your main consideration in selecting your plastic surgeon. Even when you go to popular clinics where a number of surgeons practice as a group, take a look at the qualifications of the particular surgeon who will be handling your case.
Good plastic surgeons may charge relatively affordable fees, especially if they practice in Asian countries like the Philippines, where cost of living expenses are low and if they can keep overhead costs low by having modest outpatient surgery clinics. But think twice if the surgeon you're considering charges much lower than other plastic surgeons in the same country. Especially if the procedure to be done is in the face, like a rhinoplasty (nose surgery), blepharoplasty (eye surgery) or rhytidectomy (face lift), you could end up having to stare at your "cheap" doctor's mistakes in the mirror every day. No wonder there are also so many searches made for "awful plastic surgery".
Dr. Carlos Lasa Jr. is a Filipino plastic & reconstructive surgeon who trained at the University of the Philippines, Institute of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Georgia, USA, & Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Ohio,USA. He is currently based in Metro Manila, Philippines. He specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery procedures such as liposuction, rhinoplasty (noselift), breast augmentation, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), rhytidectomy (facelift), and more. For more information about having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines, visit his site at http://www.cosmeticsurgeryphil.com or email clasamd@cosmeticsurgeryphil.com
"Why the heck should I wear sunglasses" you ask? "They... Read More
Practitioners admit it hurts like hell and speech is initially... Read More
Big beautiful lips have always been a symbol of sexiness!... Read More
If you use sunless tanning products it's probably because your... Read More
The paler the skin, the higher the classPale skin has... Read More
The plastic surgery has become a multi-million dollar one, as... Read More
As we get older our lips get smaller and thinner... Read More
"Every person is born perfect. Inferiority is a mistake of... Read More
The risks of tanning beds aren't all that it's hyped... Read More
With more and more of us understanding the serious consequences... Read More
Let's role on?life must go on and the life of... Read More
Healthy skin is one of the most common health and... Read More
To determine why neuropeptide products are different from other effective... Read More
Mineral makeup is the thing to wear this summer if... Read More
Thinking of getting a kanji tattoo or kanji jewelry? Then... Read More
Cosmetic surgery is big business now, the advances of science... Read More
If you're like many of us and just have to... Read More
Hyaluronic acid products are poised to continue their fast growth,... Read More
Anyone who has needed prescription bifocal glasses in the past... Read More
Cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is a very popular subject these... Read More
The Botox toxin is not so toxic if you're trying... Read More
Apply a tanning bed lotion an hour before and immediately... Read More
The Internet has provided an ideal forum for discovering cheap... Read More
Cosmetic dentistry has become more popular in the recently years... Read More
When I started searching for a solution for dark circles... Read More
For most of my life I've struggled with dry skin... Read More
Like every organ in your body, our skin requires adequate... Read More
Things that contribute to Poor Skin Conditions1.Antibiotics and alcohol lead... Read More
Skin types are unique and react in different ways to... Read More
Do you own a tanning salon? Maybe you just have... Read More
You've probably heard the news stories about parabens and the... Read More
Long gone are the days when a set of contact... Read More
Save money and give yourself a break from the chemicals... Read More
Do you know how and where to moisturize? Here are... Read More
If you are a baby boomer, you might be experiencing... Read More
When deciding a hair routine, you first have to determine... Read More
Want to change something about your appearance? How about your... Read More
Does the idea of using chemicals and preservatives on your... Read More
The patented ultra smooth ceramic plates on flat iron hair... Read More
The hair iron is coming more and more popular. It... Read More
When it comes to getting a tan in a tanning... Read More
I have a client, I'll call Julie. She's a beautiful... Read More
I miss summer! I think I suffer from season depression... Read More
The risks of tanning beds aren't all that it's hyped... Read More
All we see on television in the movies is bright... Read More
Everyone dreams of having skin that is healthy, smooth and... Read More
Your skin is the largest organ of your body, just... Read More
Just because you have Gray hair doesn't mean you should... Read More
Is Beauty Skin Deep?The answer is yes and no. It's... Read More
More and more people are giving laser hair removal a... Read More
"A great way to give you a subtle or dramatic... Read More
Staying young and beautiful is an important factor in many... Read More
The over-40s crowd are suffering from discovering that their arms... Read More
Everyday you see people with all color and style of... Read More
Costume contacts have always been a favorite tool of movie... Read More
If you're like many women you are confused about how... Read More
Why this fascination with beauty?The demand for beauty services in... Read More
Age spots are mainly caused by long-term sun exposure. Although... Read More
While plastic surgery might remain for many of us something... Read More
If you've finally made the decision to undergo breast augmentation... Read More
Ever wonder how stage actors or movie characters get that... Read More
For most of my life I've struggled with dry skin... Read More
How to remove dye from hair which is designed to... Read More
Tired of stained, yellow teeth? Want to give yourself a... Read More
Looking younger has become an increasing obsession. Many Baby Boomers,... Read More
So you are nearing the end of your search for... Read More
Beauty |