Patients
considering cosmetic surgery should know that choosing the right surgeon
is the single most important decision they will make.
Training
Select a surgeon who has completed at least five to six years of formal
training in plastic and reconstructive surgery in accredited training
hospitals. This includes three to five years of general surgery residency
and two to three years of plastic surgery residency. These doctors are
either board-eligible or board-certified by the Philippine Board of
Plastic Surgery. Doctors who have completed residency training in plastic
and reconstructive surgery are the only doctors who can rightfully claim
to be plastic surgeons. Many doctors who perform cosmetic surgery procedures
are board-certified in specialties other than plastic surgery or may
even lack such credentials.
Experience
Good credentials provide a reasonable indication of a doctor's qualification
to perform cosmetic surgery, and should serve as the basic starting
point. Patients should then ask the surgeon about his experience. How
many times has he done the procedure you are considering? Choose someone
with experience.
Consultation Find a plastic surgeon whom you feel comfortable with, and discuss
your needs and expectations. Be sure to have all the facts you need
in order to make an informed judgement.
Realize that pre- and post-operative photos of the surgeon’s patients
can be useful in helping you understand the surgery but are no guarantee
that your results will be similar. Every individual is different.
Beware of any doctor who tells you there are no possible risks involved
in surgery. There are always risks, and these should be discussed frankly.
Never allow a doctor to talk you into any procedure you don’t want.
A reputable plastic surgeon will let the patient suggest what he or
she wants done and then advise them on what is or is not possible.
Be skeptical of any doctor who seems to avoid talking about his or her
training and professional qualifications.
Don’t "bargain shop" for plastic surgery. The training
and experience of your surgeon is the most important factor in the success
of your surgery.
Korben Place 3rd Floor, 91 Roces Avenue cor. Scout Tobias St.,
Quezon City, Philippines
