beauty
/ by Pablo Prichard, MD
erly qualified to perform these surgeries. A good trick to keep in mind is to research if the surgeon has any hospital affiliations and that those credentials are specifically for plastic surgery. Also take into consideration recommendations from trusted friends who have had similar procedures or a reference from your existing doctors. Ask to see Before-and-after Photos A majority of plastic surgeons have before-and-after pictures available by request or online. Ask for 25 to 30 photos that show outstanding results of the same procedure you are considering.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon Look for experience, not online likes It’s 2018 and the first thing a majority of people do before anything – trying a new restaurant or salon, or buying cosmetic products – is search social media. When it comes to the larger, more impactful decisions, such as finding the right plastic surgeon, can you really trust social media posts or are they misleading? According to the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, of more than 1.7 million posts in 21 plastic surgery related hashtags on Instagram, only 18 percent were posted by board-certified plastic surgeons. Social media could possibly be trumping surgical skills when it comes to online ratings, which is concerning because it opens opportunities for less-skilled or non-certified surgeons to leverage the use of marketing through social media. For people using social media to find the best plastic surgeon, it’s important to remember to only take these posts at face value. With all of the resources at your finger tips, there are several ways to find the best surgeon for you and your procedure.
Do Your Homework Online reviews and social media likes aren’t disqualifying, but take your time and do further research. Look for a physician who’s board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and not just a generic “They’re board certified,” as this does not specify the type of certification. This is a clear indicator that they have been through rigorous training and are prop-
Consider Reviews in Context Many surgeons have online reviews where patients can rate and write about their experience. Many sites that are solely for reviews have no verification process, which means anyone can post at their discretion. Also consider that not all reviews are actually written by patients. Schedule Meetand-greets Finally, meet a few surgeons in person for a consultation to ask questions before making a final choice. Trust your gut feeling when you meet the plastic surgeon. Make sure you feel comfortable with them and have the same aesthetic goals.
Pablo Prichard, M.D. is the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Honor Health John C. Lincoln Hospital and Medical Director for Plastic surgery and is the senior partner at Advanced Aesthetics Associates. Dr. Prichard serves more than 2,000 patients every year and has specialized in both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. For more information, visit https://www.drprichard.com.
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ScottsdaleHealth
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