How to Find the Right Plastic Surgeon in Louisiana – Baton Rouge
Plastic surgery has been incredibly popular across the country – thanks to advances in medical technology. While this used to be a preserve for Hollywood celebrities and a select few members of society, average Americans are now taking to plastic surgery to address aesthetic concerns in various parts of their body. And as the number of patients has increased, so has the number of competent plastic surgeons. A few decades ago, there were only a few competent surgeons for cosmetic procedures available in the country. Fast forward to today and Louisiana residents are able to receive a cosmetic procedure of their choice in their town or at least in a nearby town within the state.
If you are planning to have plastic surgery in Louisiana, one of the most important considerations entails selecting a surgeon to work with. You probably have watched the ‘Botched’ TV show and already know that selecting the wrong professional can lead to a horrific outcome. In this post, we share X crucial tips to help you find the best plastic surgeons in Louisiana for your procedure.
Create a Shortlist
Keep in mind that when it comes to plastic surgery, there’s no ‘one size fits all’. A plastic surgeon who is very good in ‘nose reshaping’ may not necessarily be the best professional for a ‘breast augmentation’ procedure. The first step is to come up with a list of plastic surgeons who seem to be competent, then qualify them to find the one professional who is best suited for your procedure. Start by doing a basic Google search focusing on your City. For instance, if you live in Baton Rouge LA, you want to search for “Plastic Surgeon Baton Rouge”. This should get you a list of top practitioners – at least according to Google. Also, check for only directory listings of successful surgeons in your area. If you have a friend or family member who had a highly satisfactory plastic surgery procedure in the recent past, ask for their doctor’s contacts. The goal is to come up with a starting list of at least 3 – 10 surgeons, then narrow down through this list to find the right cosmetic surgeon for your needs.
Check for Board Certification
Board certification is the number one qualifying factor when you are evaluating for top plastic surgeons in Louisiana. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is considered to be the official certifying body for plastic surgeons in the country. In order to be eligible, plastic surgeons need to undergo a rigorous process that is designed to demonstrate their competence level. It is also an added advantage if a surgeon is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). This is not a certifying body but rather a specialty organization that champions the highest standards of ethics, training, research, and physician practice in plastic surgery. In order to join the ASPS, plastic surgeons in Louisiana will need to maintain strict standards for training and patient safety.
Check For Academic Credentials, Training, and Experience
It goes without saying that a good plastic surgeon should be well training. Many surgeons include this information in their websites or online listings. Consider scheduling an initial consultation with the top surgeons in your shortlist so you get an opportunity to assess the surgeon on a face-to-face basis. You want to see that the surgeon is indeed highly qualified in the procedure that you are interested in, and their approach is in line with your aesthetic goals. Some surgeons have specialty training in fields such as microsurgery, which can make them better suited for highly delicate procedures. The level of experience is also very important. Naturally, you may want to work with a highly seasoned practitioner as compared to one who has just performed a couple of procedures in their professional practice. At the end of it, you should be able to identify a suitable plastic surgeon who can create a highly individualized treatment plan to achieve your goals.
See Before and After Photos
During your consultations with plastic surgeons in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or whichever other cities in Louisiana, ask to see before and after photos from past patients. These are important because they give you a proper impression of the kind of result you can expect from the specific surgeon. Testimonials and case studies are also very important. More so, check for reviews on their plastic surgeon’s website, popular forums, and other online sources. Before you make the final decision, ask to be connected with 2 or 3 past patients who have received the same procedure you are interested in. Get in touch with them and ask how their experience with the surgeon was so you get more insight.
Does The Surgeon Make You Feel Comfortable?
Last but not least, pay attention to how the surgeon and their support staff make you feel. Do they seem to genuinely care about your concerns and expectations? Do they take a keen interest on your needs? Do they inspire confidence? Even if a specific plastic surgeon is well trained and highly experienced but they do not inspire trust, you have anxiety or other emotional challenges moving forward with the procedure. Plastic surgery is a highly individual choice and you only need to work with a practitioner who inspires confidence and has the track record to back it up.
Conclusion
Plastic surgeons typically perform cosmetic procedures in an in-office operating room or an accredited health facility. Although this should be obvious, make to ask and confirm. You want to ensure that your procedure is performed at a facility that has AAAASF, AAAHC, JCAHO, or IMQ certification. These standards ensure that an operating room has crucial life support systems – just in case something goes wrong during the procedure. Also, confirm that your anesthesia will be administered by a certified professional. Whether you are planning to have a tummy tuck or a breast lift procedure, you will find that taking the time to find the right surgeon alleviates a lot of the pre-anxiety associated with cosmetic surgery.
