How to choose a plastic surgeon?

[AlmondEyes]

Anyone have any work done? I know lots of women refuse to fess up to having work done. But I'm looking for some guidance in choosing a surgeon.

I've had 2 consultations with 2 doctors. Can't seem to find any other places that give free consultations or I'd try a 3rd place as well. The first place felt more comfortable, and even after the doc left me and I got dressed, a nurse (?) came back in to give me the papers that showed what the prices would be and talked to me some more. She also called back 2 weeks later to ask if I had more questions or if I wanted to come back in for a second consultation. This place also offers an overnight stay just to keep an eye on you, which would cost $750. Not something I HAVE to do, but they suggest to take advantage of it.

The second place I went to yesterday made me feel a little rushed. The doc answered my questions, was very thorough in telling me what all to expect, but it just sorta seemed rushed to me. This place is about $2000 cheaper than the first place, though. Plus they'd give me samples of the antibiotic because I don't have health insurance. This place is also a little closer to home.

How do you choose the place you wind up going to for something so important? I'm not working, so saving $2000 going to the second place would be wonderful. Both places have board certified doctors and have been in business for quite a long time. I think the second place is much more busy because the doc said there's a 3 week waiting period for appointments. The first place told me they'd fit me in because I explained my work situation. Does this mean the second place is better because they have more appointments filling up their schedule? They do surgeries 4 days a week where as the first place only does them twice a week....

 

[Wildsky]

Hmmmmmmmmm I have no idea, I'd personally try find some of their patients and talk to them, look at pictures of their work etc... (you can probably ASK them to give you names of other folk, some of them will give out numbers, they've probably given those other women a discount or something in order to give out references. - so do remember that)
Ask your friends and family if you know anyone in real life who has had something similar done.
And don't take into account free-bee's or price, its your life on the line here not some bargain basement pair of jeans. It doesn't really matter what day you have it done, its important enough to take priority! If you felt rushed or the doc didn't spend time with you - think about that, imagine he has a knife in his hand and is in a hurry to get out and go take care of someone else - heck no!
Good luck

 

[Sexi]

You need to go where you feel most comfortable, not rushed as first thought, go with your "gut instinct". I would also check on references & not necessarily the ones the doctor may give you, as of course they are only going to give you the good ones. Their is a way to check & see if they have ever had any complaints I know, but not sure how to do this, I just know it can be done. Also "board certified" doesn't mean much due to the fact, look at it this way. In school they make grades, as long as they pass the take their boards, right.......... the guy who made D's, has the same certifications as the guy who made straight A's. Would you rather have the A doctor or the D doctor? $2000 is alot of money yes, but the first doctor who's nurse called you back, at least shows an interest, is more professional IMO. This would be one line of work where "you get what you pay for" & if it were my body I would want the best. Your asking about plastic surgery so this would have something to do with your looks. Being your concerned enough to be getting consulations, you don't want any more risk than necessary because some things can't be "un-done".

Anyone have any work done? I know lots of women refuse to fess up to having work done. But I'm looking for some guidance in choosing a surgeon.

I've had 2 consultations with 2 doctors. Can't seem to find any other places that give free consultations or I'd try a 3rd place as well. The first place felt more comfortable, and even after the doc left me and I got dressed, a nurse (?) came back in to give me the papers that showed what the prices would be and talked to me some more. She also called back 2 weeks later to ask if I had more questions or if I wanted to come back in for a second consultation. This place also offers an overnight stay just to keep an eye on you, which would cost $750. Not something I HAVE to do, but they suggest to take advantage of it.

The second place I went to yesterday made me feel a little rushed. The doc answered my questions, was very thorough in telling me what all to expect, but it just sorta seemed rushed to me. This place is about $2000 cheaper than the first place, though. Plus they'd give me samples of the antibiotic because I don't have health insurance. This place is also a little closer to home.

How do you choose the place you wind up going to for something so important? I'm not working, so saving $2000 going to the second place would be wonderful. Both places have board certified doctors and have been in business for quite a long time. I think the second place is much more busy because the doc said there's a 3 week waiting period for appointments. The first place told me they'd fit me in because I explained my work situation. Does this mean the second place is better because they have more appointments filling up their schedule? They do surgeries 4 days a week where as the first place only does them twice a week....

 

[AnglVapin]

I agree, go where you feel most comfortable by following your instinct then following up with other patients.

I would also spend the most amount of time asking myself if this is really something I have to have done. I know cosmetic surgery is growing by leaps and bounds and viewed as a common place occurence these days... but with it, there is always a great amount of risk involved.

While having a DD cup might be appealing.... I'll just settle for less and buy the best push up bra that money can buy. The worst that can happen there is the underwire pop through the fabric and put my eye out!

I wouls seriously spend an whole lot of time on self evaluation of the want versus need. Consider your health risk first.

Of course this is just my opinion.... and it is swayed by having known someone who went in for implants and never made it home due to complications.

Whatever you choose... think twice, then think tiwce again... re-evaluate the doctors twice, then reevaluate them twice again.

 

[bmacva]

A few things you could do...

As wildsky suggested, ask for references, but, due to HIPAA privacy laws, you are likely not to have much luck with that.

Google plastic surgeons for your area and check their websites. Even the most reputable have sites and it might narrow down your search for consultations. Some even have price ranges (I know, I'm looking to possibly have a mini facelift done myself).

Also check with the Board of Plastic Surgery for referrals.

In Virginia, we can look up any physician and find out if they've had malpractice suits or other board of medicine disciplinary actions. I do that here before I go to any doctor.

And last but not least, I'm going to tell you this, but please please don't take offense because no offense is intended. Please be very certain that this is something that you can't live without. With no health insurance, are you willing to risk complications (complications can happen to anyone, regardless of the skill or reputation of the surgeon)? Health care costs due to infection or anesthesia complications could be enormous. It doesn't take much to wipe your savings out.

Good luck!

 

[Kendra]

Well, I've had plastic surgery and I have to say it changed my life completely. I do not regret it one iota. I had two separate things done at separate times. And, both of the procedures went perfectly.

When I looked for the second plastic surgeon (my parents found the first one for me), I lived in Cleveland, Ohio. And, although there were a lot of excellent surgeons, the prices seemed astronomical. So, I looked to Akron, Ohio, which is just a bit smaller and the prices were so much lower. Funny, too, because the surgeon I picked worked in Cleveland, too-- with the high prices at that practice, and in Akron with lower prices.

I didn't go just for price, but I was convinced that being in a regional city didn't make somebody a poor surgeon. Anyways, I looked at a bunch of befores and after pictures and was impressed, the waiting room was full with happy people coming back for a variety of work, the surgeon had positive comments around the internet, and his nurses and staff seemed honest and caring. The practice was there for a long time, too. And, he was board certified.

That said, I would NOT do this without health insurance. No, the plastic surgery isn't covered since it's an elective procedure, but if there are complications or infections, those ARE covered with insurance. If you don't have insurance, I would suggest you use some of your savings for the procedure for private health insurance. I can't really stress this enough. I didn't have any complications, but very well could have, and it wouldn't have necessarily been the fault of the surgeon, either.

i wouldn't recommend DROPPING the insurance after you heal, but even if this was your plan, it would be better than not having any at all.

 

[eLiciafay]

I've also had PS, to reconstruct The Girls after a little mass was removed from my right side. I was really lopsided, and insurance said they would cover bilateral reconstruction (which is pretty much unheard of!) so I went for it. I was 20 at the time, I wasn't quite ready to give up having a balanced figure.

I've only regretted my choice when I learned I was unable to nurse our son, and desperately needed mother's milk after being born with some health challenges. We were blessed to find friends who could pump for us, and so DS got donor milk for the 1st year of his life.

Other than that, I didn't experience any complications and I am in love with my results.

The only thing I would add to Kendra's post is to go into the surgery with realistic expectations and a healthy sense of self esteem. Plastic surgery won't fix your issues if they are deeper than the surface. PS won't fix your life or make you a better person, it won't make a man love you and it won't change your life. YOU need to change your life - plastic surgery is more like the icing on the cake. You can throw a ton of icing on a crappy cake...you'll still have a crappy cake underneath. KWIM?

I found my PS by doing a LOT of online research and asking my doctor for a recommendation. But the work I needed was specific to reconstruction, and that's why my doctor was able to direct me to a specialist for that. Your MD may still know someone good, it's always a good place to start.

 

[Wildsky]

The only thing I would add to Kendra's post is to go into the surgery with realistic expectations and a healthy sense of self esteem. Plastic surgery won't fix your issues if they are deeper than the surface. PS won't fix your life or make you a better person, it won't make a man love you and it won't change your life. YOU need to change your life - plastic surgery is more like the icing on the cake. You can throw a ton of icing on a crappy cake...you'll still have a crappy cake underneath. KWIM?

Yep - a few years ago I actually considered getting the girls "beefed" up a little bit, but realised it was more for everyone else than ME, I'm happy with my little girls, so I kept em!

 

[Mary Kay]

I had plastic surgery to reduce breast size. I had no choice in Dr.s as we were Military. It was not a good experience and I had the stitches break open in a week.
I never regreted my surgery, it changed my life because it was a "needed" procedure rater then elective. My daughter had the same surgery 20 years later. We found a doc she liked and he treated her with respect and a lot of TLC. There was the key. Find a good Doctor! Find someone who takes time and does not patronize you.
Do like the rest of the women here have said to do, find someone the doctor has worked on and see what they think. (sit in the reception room).
If you want to heal, you need to feel like you are part of a winning team, you need to do your homework and you need to think long and hard about the what ifs. Then once you have had the surgery, walk, walk walk! That will get all the body systems up and running and you back to normal faster.
Mary

 

[Rexa]

What kind of work done? First of all, it depends what you want done. I actually believe that every doctor has his/her own specialty when it comes to specific things. There are doctors who make the best boobs jobs, some doctors make the best nose jobs, and others in different areas.

I had reconstructive surgery done on both my ears. I went to the top doctor in New York just for that when I was a teenager. He had to literally resculpt both my ears since all I had were deformed "flaps". Now I have the perfect ears on earth. I would not go to him though for let's say "boobs".

I had a deviated septum and reconstructed nose job from breaking it 5 times in Karate, For that I went to Europe (in Romania) to one of the top surgeons there (and it only cost me a grand total of 2k for the surgery and for keeping me three days in a special clinic because unlike America, they actually keep you in the clinic with personalized service and won;t let you just go back home after the op).

Again, it depends what you want done since I did not catch that in the original post. If you want to discuss it privately, feel free to PM me. If you're talking about boobs, I can refer you to different places. It depends where you want to travel. I never had boobs done since I'm a total jock and I'm fine being an A cup in that regards. I only had two surgeries (nose and ears).

For boobs and nose jobs I really have no problem suggesting to go "out of america" for that. Europe and most of Brazil have the top doctors for that in my opinion and you end up paying way less even with plane tickets included. The only reason you hear any remote horror stories regarding that is that people who knowingly were advised beforehand to avoid surgeries still pushed those docs to go ahead with it at their own risk.