Cosmetic Surgeons « Womens Interests

November 4, 2009

Cosmetic Surgery

Patricia Woloch asked:

Cosmetic surgery provides patients with options to choose from which can restore, repair or rejuvenate the skin and appearance. The decision to undergo any type of cosmetic surgery is a very personal one that should be given a lot of thought.

Choosing a Surgeon

It is very important to take the time and research cosmetic surgeons in your area before choosing one to work with. Credentials and experience play a major role in a cosmetic surgeon’s capability to perform your elected procedure safely and to your satisfaction.

When choosing a cosmetic surgeon, here are some things to look for:

· American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Member

· Board certified

· Medical and surgical training, including plastic surgery training

· Works in accredited facilities

· Continues education and training in new advances and standards of practice

The Right Procedure

There are many different cosmetic surgery procedures, as well as combinations of procedures. Which is right for you depends on your needs and desired results. Before undergoing any cosmetic surgery procedure, you will schedule an initial consultation with your prospective cosmetic surgeon.

This consultation will basically be a meet and greet during which you and the doctor can get to know each other. This is also the time to give the doctor detailed information about your medical history, your reasons for wanting cosmetic surgery, and what areas of your body you feel need corrective procedures performed on them.

It is very important for you and your cosmetic surgeon that you are completely honest and very communicative throughout your cosmetic surgery experience. Your surgeon must know you and your history in order to provide you with the correct advice and medical care. Communication is also the key in obtaining the results you desire once your procedure has been completed. If your surgeon is not clear on what you are looking for, you may be disappointed in the final outcome.

Questions to Ask

Before undergoing any cosmetic surgery procedure, you will be given the opportunity to ask lots of questions of your cosmetic surgeon and the staff at the clinic you are working with. Be prepared and take along a list of questions that you should have answers to before making any final decisions. Some questions you should be sure to ask are:

· Are you a certified cosmetic surgeon?

· Are you a member of the ASPS

· Where were you trained and how many years of training do you have?

· Do you have specific training in cosmetic surgery? How much?

· Is your facility or the one you perform surgeries in certified and accredited?

· What procedures do you recommend for my needs?

· Am I a good candidate for the procedure I am considering?

· What can I do to help obtain optimal results from my procedure?

· Where and how will my procedure be performed?

· What are the risks and recovery time involved? How are complications dealt with?

· How much will my procedure cost and will insurance cover any of it?

· Do you have before and after photos of similar procedures you have performed on other patients?

The Bottom Line

If you are considering undergoing any type of cosmetic surgery procedure, you owe it to yourself to be completely informed about your procedure and your doctor. Any legitimate cosmetic surgeon will not only be happy to answer any questions you have thoroughly and honestly, but they will respect you for taking the initiative to know everything there is to know about the process beforehand.

Comments (0)

October 31, 2009

Qualifications of a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon

Filed under: Health — Tags: Cosmetic Surgeons, Cosmetic Surgery, Reason — admin @ 6:23 am

Michelle Beck asked:

Whether a cosmetic surgeon is board certified is a very important thing for a patient to know. In the early days of cosmetic surgery, there was no board certification. Doctors simply learned how to do specific techniques, and when they learned them, they worked at perfecting them — and they passed them on to other doctors who wanted to perform cosmetic surgery as well. While there has to be a learning curve with anything, cosmetic surgery is one of those areas where an individual really wants his or her doctor to know what should be done and how to do it the right way. This is part of the reason that board certification came about, so that people who were interested in plastic surgery would know who they might want to choose for their cosmetic procedures.

Board Certification

Board certification means that a cosmetic surgeon has completed what is required of him or her in order to be recognized and certified by the governing body of the medical association that deals with cosmetic surgery. This kind of certification is very important, because it instills confidence in those who want cosmetic surgery from a particular surgeon. In addition, board certification requires a cosmetic surgeon to attend continuing education classes and prove that he or she is up-to-date with the latest procedures, requirements and safety features. By requiring these kinds of things, cosmetic surgeons are held to a very high standard and the patients that use them typically get very good results from their procedures, provided they follow the instructions that their doctors give them.

How Important Is The Certification, Really?

There are many competent surgeons today, but cosmetic surgery is somewhat different from ‘standard’ surgery. Those who realize this will acknowledge that they are either cosmetic surgeons or they are not cosmetic surgeons — most surgeons do not try to be both. This certainly does not mean that there are no ‘standard’ surgeons who are capable of performing cosmetic surgery. Surgeons today specialize, though, and those who do not specialize in cosmetic surgery often do not know what is expected of them with regard to the latest procedures in that field. They will not be comfortable performing cosmetic procedures and they will recommend a different surgeon.

In addition, there are people who bill themselves as cosmetic surgeons, but they do not have board certification. Some of these people are very good, but many of them are questionable, and they are not board certified because they do not qualify. They may not have enough education in their field, they may not have performed enough high-quality procedures or they may simply not be good enough overall to earn certification. If that is the case, a person wanting a cosmetic procedure would be wise to stay away from them and find someone who is board certified. The certification is there for a reason, and part of that reason is to ensure the safety of patients as much as is possible with an elective surgical procedure.

Comments (0)

October 30, 2009

Getting Cosmetic Surgery in Canada

Filed under: Women's Issues — Tags: Cosmetic Surgeons, Entering The United States, Speculation — admin @ 8:47 am

Anthony Williams Sr. asked:

Canada has an incredible history of cosmetic surgeons. However, many Canadians still wonder if cosmetic surgery is a safe route to take. It is only natural that Canadians wonder if this voluntary surgery is a safe one. There are always a lot of questions circling around voluntary surgeries. That is why it is important to acquire as much information as possible. And Canada is not the only country in which questions loom. The United States also has a lot of questions and speculation wondering around. Mostly because there are some methods used in the United States that are not used elsewhere in the world because of safety concerns.

Cosmetic surgery in Canada

Canadian cosmetic surgery dates back to before World War I. This is because it is a practice that was used to help maimed soldiers. The doctor who performed this surgery was Dr. E. Fulton Risdon. After World War I, he returned to Toronto where he continued to practice cosmetic surgery. This more or less became the only surgery that he performed. He is literally considered the father of cosmetic surgery in Canada.

Something that is great about cosmetic surgery in Canada is the fact that the price is reasonable. When you compare the price of cosmetic surgery in Canada to the price of Cosmetic surgery in the U.S.A., there is a considerable difference in price. There is also a considerable difference in the amount of innovation that occurs. Canada is an innovator in finding the safest and most effective methods in cosmetic surgery. When they do this, they are also able to find some of the most cost-effective methods available. Cosmetic surgery in Canada continues to become cheaper and cheaper.

Cosmetic surgery in the U.S.A.

It has already been mentioned that cosmetic surgery in the U.S.A is more expensive than in Canada. Healthcare all together is more expensive in the U.S. than in many countries around the world. That is why a Canadian will not be caught entering the United States without some sort of travel health insurance to ensure that they will not be stuck with large medical bills.

Cosmetic surgery is no exception. A person literally has to spend their life savings to have cosmetic surgery. They only way to really be able to afford cosmetic surgery is if you’re married to the doctor or a celebrity. There are some procedures such as Botox that are becoming more affordable. A Botox treatment will cost around $200 for four pricks of the needle.

There are also some risky practices happening within the United States. This is because some who do such procedures as Botox injections do not properly dilute the toxin. This has created safety concerns in the United States for those looking to defy the effects of aging. That is why it is always good to see a reputable cosmetic surgeon. Research is needed to ensure there have not been any “mishaps” during surgeries and procedures. Actually, this should be carried out no matter what country you live in. You must do that so you know what you’re getting into.

Health insurance

It doesn’t matter which country you reside in, cosmetic surgery is not covered by health insurance. It is an out-of-pocket expense for everyone. That is why it is important that it is affordable. Although aging is a natural process, too many people are ridiculed by others about their aging. People now want to combat it more than ever. It doesn’t make them live longer. It just makes them feel better about themselves, which can then translate into a few years added onto their life. All it takes is a positive attitude.

Comments (0)