Tips for finding a surgeon

My advice when searching for just the right surgeon for your individual needs are to:

Ask anyone who is willing to admit to having had a procedure done, that you are interested in, where they went. First-hand referrals are like gold dust.

Book appointments with several doctors in the specialty you are interested in.

What was right for your friend may not be correct for you. A little like a dress, not every size eight is the same.

Surgeons do specialize even though very few will admit it. Ask the doctor or even the receptionist what their patients are coming in for most.

Try and get on a first-name basis with the office coordinator. She may be able to guide you as to the best time to schedule and what to expect from the practice. The nurses are also a good source of information.

Also, look at office staff. How do they look to you? Over-operated, natural, elegant, fresh? Whatever you are seeing behind the front desk is probably what you will be seeing in your mirror if you book with that doctor.

Is the office clean? Are the staff and doctor good time-keepers or do they keep you waiting? Emergencies are one thing but when you are consistently kept waiting there may be a problem with over-scheduling or perhaps understaffing.

And most obviously, check qualifications. What do the diplomas mean? Make sure your surgeon is a member of an associated board of the specialty you are interested in. If you are interested in surgery make sure your doctor is a surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgery. Sounds obvious but you would be amazed at how many practitioners are not surgery board-certified.