Are you considering breast implant surgery? Before you can schedule a procedure, you need to find a breast implant surgeon. Whether this is your first experience with plastic surgery or you just want to explore your options, take a look at what you need to know about choosing the best doctor in your local area.
Are All Surgeons the Same?
No, all surgeons are not the same. Some surgeons provide general surgical services, while others specialize in one area. This means you can eliminate doctors who don't focus on cosmetic, aesthetic, or plastic surgery techniques. To narrow down the field even more, cross cosmetic or plastic surgeons who don't have extensive experience in breast augmentation off your maybe list.
What Certifications Should the Surgeon Have?
The only medical providers who should offer plastic surgery services are licensed medical doctors (MDs) with specialized training and credentials in this specific area of focus. This means your surgeon should have a college degree and a medical degree from an accredited university. The surgeon should also have completed a surgical residency training program and a cosmetic surgical residency.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), doctors who perform breast augmentation procedures should have an American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certification. Surgeons must have the required level of training and pass rigorous written and oral exams to attain this credential.
Do All Plastic Surgeons Provide the Same Services?
Again, some plastic surgeons may specialize in a specific area. While there are plastic surgeons who offer all or most cosmetic procedures, others may have expertise in or extensive experience performing rhinoplasty (nose job) procedures, breast implant surgery, tummy tucks, facial reconstruction, or another aesthetic surgical option.
Before you choose a surgeon for your implant procedure, ask the doctor for more information on their background, experience with augmentations, approach to this type of surgery, and to view before/after photos. The photos can give you a concrete picture of what you can expect. Even though every patient is different and will have their own individual aesthetic and medical needs, photos of past clients can help you to set expectations about the surgeon's skill level and overall ability.
Where Should the Surgeon Work?
Breast augmentation isn't a procedure that is always done in a hospital setting. While some surgeons do operate in hospital ORs or use outpatient facilities located within hospitals, others may have their own surgical suite in a medical office or non-hospital healthcare center.
If your would-be surgeon of choice operates outside of a hospital, make sure the facility is licensed by the state and accredited by either the Joint Commission of Healthcare Organizations, the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, or the Accredited Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
Contact a local breast implant surgeon to learn more.
