Guidelines for choosing a cosmetic surgery center

Choosing A Good Cosmetic Surgery Center
Most people are choosing Cosmetic surgery with an urge to look younger or to boost their appearance. Whatever your reasons for choosing cosmetic surgery, it is important to be adequately informed about the procedure and have realistic expectations for the final outcome. The ultimate decision should be based on your personal desire and not be influenced by others or biased due to your own prejudices.

With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Botox ® as a wrinkle remover and Restylane ® as a cosmetic filler and easy availability of some other cosmetic procedures, the arsenal of cosmetic plastic surgery treatments to attack wrinkles, furrows and folds continues to grow. For those interested in these new treatments, it is paramount to consider the procedure both in terms of medical treatment center/facility and checking their physician or plastic surgeon’s credentials.

Whether considering injectables or considering face lift surgery, patients must determine that their physician is qualified to perform the procedure. Though minimally invasive, the procedures involving injectables such as Restylane are required to be performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon who understands neuromuscular and facial anatomy as well as the side effects of the cosmetic surgery procedure in question.

It is important to note that in lieu of the growing popularity of surgical and less-invasive cosmetic plastic surgery treatments, more and more unqualified practitioners are stepping in the arena of cosmetic surgery. To take the advantage of the ever growing number of patients more and more non accredited medical centers/facilities are being set up in urban areas.

Due to the ever increasing popularity of cosmetic surgery procedures there has also been a substantial increase in the number of patients seeking the care of an expert cosmetic surgeon to repair facial damage after being treated by an untrained practitioner. According to the president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the reason for such a trend can be attributed to the fact that most states allow licensed physicians to perform cosmetic plastic surgery without being board-certified in plastic surgery.

In the light of above discussions, it is important for people to be cautious while choosing a surgeon or a cosmetic surgery center. There are certain guidelines which all men and women in USA should follow for cosmetic plastic surgery before and after or while choosing a cosmetic surgery center/outpatient facility or a cosmetic surgeon’s office facility.

For a Cosmetic Surgeon
Determine if your plastic surgeon is certified by a board approved by The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Members of the ASPS are certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only board recognized by ABMS that certifies physicians in plastic surgery of the face and all areas of the body. This ensures that the plastic surgeon has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional residency, usually three years of general surgery and two years of plastic surgery.

For a Cosmetic Surgery Center or Facility
Everyone who chooses cosmetic plastic surgery has the right to a safe procedure and a safe facility. Cosmetic surgery is performed in various facilities such as hospitals, surgical centers and office settings. It is essential for a surgical facility to meet certain minimum standards to obtain and maintain its accreditation. Facilities may be accredited by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC) or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) of your state.

Cosmetic surgery should be performed in a setting with appropriate medical personnel and necessary equipment to observe patients and manage potential complications, as well as provide for the disposal of medical waste as required by Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.

ASPS requires all members who perform cosmetic surgery under anesthesia to do so in an accredited, licensed or Medicare-approved facility.

Medical Evaluation of Cosmetic Surgery Procedure
When considering a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, consult with the plastic surgeon for an evaluation, as well as a full medical history, to determine what is most appropriate. All the issues pertaining to cosmetic surgery before and after need consideration.

A final treatment decision, along with choice for the cosmetic surgery center/facility should be reached co-operatively between the physician and patient. The physician should explain the risks, benefits, alternatives, and reasoning for the proposed treatment, and only after the patient is satisfied that he/she should sign a consent document with the plastic surgeon.

Some General Questions to be Asked
Are you certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery?

• What is the best procedure for me?
• Which cosmetic surgery facility is suitable for my procedure?
• Do you have hospital privileges to perform cosmetic surgery?
• Is your cosmetic surgery center/facility accredited? Does the facility have life-saving equipment and monitoring devices?
• How will you perform my procedure, how long will it take?
• What are the risks involved with my procedure?
• Will my procedure need to be repeated?
• What is the expected recovery for the procedure?
• How much will my procedure cost?
• Are financing options available?

It is only after that you are satisfied with the plastic surgery center and the plastic surgeon that you should agree for the procedure, be it a simple botox injection or a complicated tummy tuck surgery.

Best luck with your plastic surgery!