When you are seeking to improve your life through cosmetic surgery, the skill level and dedication of the surgeon are undoubtedly the most important factors influencing your satisfaction with your results. But how do you find a qualified cosmetic surgeon to perform your procedure?

In this post, we’ll explain what board certification is, and why it is the paramount quality to look for when searching for a cosmetic surgeon.

What Qualifies a Surgeon to Perform Cosmetic Surgery?

The widespread popularity of cosmetic surgery has led many less-than-ethical medical practitioners to begin advertising their services in this field, even if they have no experience or training in the various techniques and skills necessary to provide excellent results and ensure patient safety.

It may come as a surprise to learn that any medical doctor is legally permitted to perform any procedure – so, for example, there is no state or federal law prohibiting an oncologist from performing a facelift. And while you may have an excellent relationship with your child’s pediatrician, you probably would not count on her to give you a great breast augmentation. That’s why seeking a cosmetic surgeon who has attained board certification is so essential.

When you choose to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon, you can be confident your doctor has completed at least three to five years of training in general surgery and a minimum of two to three years of training in plastic surgery and passed a series of extensive written and oral tests. To maintain their certification, board-certified plastic surgeons must also do continuing medical education and take a written test every ten years. Many of these doctors also publish papers or give presentations to share their knowledge and passion for cosmetic surgery with the world.

Why should you look for a board-certified cosmetic surgeon? In short, earning board certification is a hallmark of a plastic surgeon’s skill, expertise, and commitment to their practice. Choosing to work with a board-certified surgeon will help you feel assured in the quality of your procedure and the standard of care you can expect to receive.

Other Factors That Influence Your Results

Once you have begun narrowing down your list of potential board-certified surgeons to perform your desired procedure, there are a few other characteristics to look for as you meet with various specialists.

1. Professional Demeanor

Personality can make a world of difference when it comes to establishing a healthy patient-doctor relationship. As you meet with different surgeons, evaluate how well you get along with them. Does the surgeon project an attitude that is friendly and approachable, while still being professional? Since cosmetic surgery can be a difficult and stressful decision to make, you want a doctor who helps put you at ease and never makes you feel rushed into doing anything.

2. Surgeon’s Expertise

Medicine is a field for dedicated professionals, and it constantly evolves as researchers learn more about the human body. Cosmetic surgery is no exception to this, and you’ll find many surgeons have chosen to hone their skills in a specific set of procedures, rather than trying to be a jack of all trades. Do your research as you decide which physicians you want to meet with. For instance, if you want to improve your appearance through a facial procedure like an eyelid lift or brow lift, you wouldn’t want to go to a doctor who exclusively performs body procedures and vice versa.

3. Years of Experience

As you are interviewing potential surgeons, one of the most important questions to ask is how many years they have been performing the specific surgery or treatment you are interested in. For obvious reasons, it’s preferable to work with a surgeon who not only has extensive experience in the procedure you desire but who has also helped other patients address the same concerns you have.

North Atlanta’s Leading Cosmetic Surgeon

Dr. Amy Alderman is proud to be a nationally recognized female plastic surgeon who uses her years of education, professional experience, and involvement in national patient safety initiatives to enhance her patients’ natural beauty and confidence. She constantly strives to provide the most up-to-date techniques as a board-certified expert in breast, body, and facial procedures. In her North Atlanta practice, she always emphasizes comfort and strives to be an accessible, relatable doctor whose bedside manner puts everyone at ease. Schedule your consultation today!