Only Consider Board Certified Plastic Surgeons
Board certification means that a said surgeon has the extensive knowledge and experience required to excel in their field. It means that they passed written and oral exams conducted by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABSP), or of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. These surgeons are highly trained to handle all sorts of issues that may arise while the surgery is ongoing. Some even go a step further and attain membership of the American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). These are professional organizations that provide a wider platform for meeting like-minded professionals and exchanging ideas. So before any other step, check your selected surgeon’s website or ask to see whether they are board-certified.
Find a Surgeon Who Specializes in Abdominoplasty
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certifies surgeons from all plastic surgery fields, including breast augmentation, tummy tuck, rhinoplasty, and liposuction surgery. It is important to find a surgeon who is particularly skilled in tummy tuck procedures, and who has performed countless such procedures before. They should be in a position to easily assess your aesthetic issues and recommend the best tummy tuck procedure for you.
Check With Past Customers
One of the best ways to learn about a specific surgeon’s competence when it comes to plastic surgery is to check with past clients. Go to their website and examine their work experience, case studies, recommendations, before and after photos, and comments from patients who have received a tummy tuck. This should provide the information you need to gauge the surgeon’s skill level and customer care qualities.
Built Rapport
Once you have shortlisted the plastic surgeon that you want to work with, the next step is to try and build rapport. Get to know them individually by scheduling a consultation visit and talk about your interest in a tummy tuck procedure. This initial visit should let you know whether you might be able to trust the surgeon and communicate freely. Make sure to ask all the questions that are important to you, particularly with regards to the surgical techniques, preparation, and recovery after the procedure.
Check for Availability
Another important step is to ascertain that the surgeon you have selected is available. Follow up with further questions and see how they address them. Do you have to wait for days before someone gets in touch with you? If this is the case, then you shouldn’t expect any different during recovery – when you’ll need as much attention and support as possible. The right tummy tuck plastic surgeon should make themselves available to answer the patient’s questions and address any pending issues.
Check for Patience
You should only work with surgeons who are patient with you, not those who push you to have the procedure as soon as possible. Most good surgeons will ask the right questions to learn about your reasons for wanting to have a tummy tuck. If they find that you are somehow misguided, they may refuse to perform the procedure. It is important that you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages involved before committing to having any cosmetic surgery. You should also have the procedure out of your own volition, not because someone else asked you to.
Figure Out the Cost of the Surgery
Health insurance typically does not pay for tummy tucks and other cosmetic procedures. It is thus important to get a good impression of how much you’ll need to pay for this treatment with the surgeon you have selected. As a general rule of the thumb, surgeons who are more experienced tend to be more expensive. Surgeons who are located in expensive cities may also be more expensive compared to their counterparts in other regions. You want to make sure that you can afford the fee. Some surgeons have financing plans to help you ease the burden of paying for the surgery.
Conclusion
Following the above steps will guide you in the right direction so you can find the best plastic surgeon for your tummy tuck plastic surgery. You want to work with a professional who not only meets all the above requirements but also comes across as a friend and mentor. If you are not comfortable talking to the surgeon or are worried about something, you may be better off looking elsewhere.