How to Pick a Good Plastic Surgeon

by | Apr 24, 2015

How to Pick a Good Plastic Surgeon

Changing the look of our bodies through plastic surgery has become more and more popular over the last 25 years. With this increase in popularity, plastic surgery procedures are safer than they have ever been as well as much more advanced. There are also more choices when it comes to plastic surgeons that can perform these procedures, which can often give the impression that most surgeons are about the same when it comes to skill and experience.

The truth is, there is actually big difference from one surgeon to the next. If you are considering plastic surgery of any kind, it is very important that you take the time to learn more about the surgeon you are considering so you know you will be in good hands.

Here are a few questions you should ask when picking a good plastic surgeon:

Are they board certified?

This should be the starting point for any plastic surgeon you are considering. A doctor who is not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery may not have the unique training and qualification needed to provide the best service to their patients. Not all surgeon’s who offer plastic surgery are board certified and the truth is, they do not have to be board certified in order to perform the surgery. Legally, any doctor is permitted to perform these procedures.

Choosing a doctor who is board certified gives you peace of mind that they have completed 3-5 years of general surgery and an additional 2-3 years of training in plastic surgery. This includes exhaustive testing and certification. Dr. Richard J. Brown is double board certified in both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery.

How is their record?

Almost as important as their certification is your doctor’s record. You will want to know if they have had any disciplinary action taken against them or if they have run into any legal trouble with health boards or patients. These records are fairly simple to obtain through the state’s medical board. Among other things, be sure to check that your doctor is licensed to practice medicine in Arizona.

Do they have hospital privileges?

When a plastic surgeon does not have hospital privileges, it should be an immediate red flag for you. This really has very little to do with you or your doctor going to the hospital, but more to do with how qualified your doctor is. Hospitals do extensive background checks and will catch if there is any area where your doctor may fall short in their ability to provide proper care. Additionally, if there is any type of complication with your surgery, you will want to know that your surgeon will be at the hospital you are at.

These are just a few of the important questions you should ask as you consider which plastic surgeon to use. We hope that you will take the time to read more about Dr. Brown’s history and qualifications by clicking here.

Related: 5 Thing to Do at Home for Faster Plastic Surgery Recovery

To set up a consultation with Dr. Brown, please call us at ​480-568-3804.

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