CHOOSING A PLASTIC SURGEON

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By Boris M. Ackerman, M.D.

The world of advertising and public relations has brought physicians' names to the public on a continuing basis.  Ten years ago if a doctor called himself a plastic surgeon, the patient knew precisely what that term meant.  Recently, doctors in various sub-specialties such as dermatologists, gynecologists, ophthalmologists, and even dentists are performing plastic surgery procedures.

This can leave prospective patients utterly confused about how to find the best and most qualified surgeons.  But how, wonders Dr. Ackerman, a board certified Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon "is a prospective patient to know who is a diligent, excellent, caring physician, and who is a charlatan?"  Dr. Ackerman wants to disseminate information the public can use and heed as caution when selecting a plastic surgeon in a country now brimming with doctors who call themselves "plastic surgeons."

The first step in choosing a plastic surgeon is to develop a list of names.  There are several sources, some better than others.  According to Dr. Ackerman, “word of mouth is a great place to start the search as one will always boast of the creative handiwork of a flawless facelift.”

Confer with friends who have undergone plastic surgery for the names of their surgeons, or ask your family physician or local hospital.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon - Credentials

Once you have composed a good list of plastic surgeons, you should check their credentials.  More important than where a surgeon went to school is the type of training he/she has received.  You want to be sure that the surgeon completed an accredited residency program specifically in plastic surgery.  The American Medical Association (AMA) lists where and what type of training a physician has undergone.

A physician performing plastic surgery should also be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).  Although board certification is not the only measure of professional competence, it indicates that the doctor has completed the necessary education and experience to bear this distinction.  “Beware of those physicians who are ‘board certified,’ but not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS),” advises Dr. Ackerman, who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is the only plastic surgery board approved by the ABMS at this time.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon - The Consultation

The initial consultation with a doctor is another key step in assessing if you have found the right plastic surgeon for you.  It is important to develop a good rapport with the surgeon.  “You don’t have to like your surgeon as a friend, but do you think he/she has you, the patient, at heart as his first consideration?” asks Dr. Ackerman.  During the consultation, the doctor will evaluate you as a candidate for surgery.  But, this is also a chance for you to evaluate the surgeon.  The surgeon should answer all of your questions and address each of your concerns.  Also, Dr. Ackerman advises you to ask for the names of patients who have undergone the surgery you are considering, and for permission to speak with them about their experiences.

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon - Questions to Ask

• How long is the estimated operating time?
• What is the expected recovery time?
• Where will the surgery be performed - in a surgical center or hospital?
• What kind of anesthesia will be used?
• Will postoperative medication be necessary?
• Will there be any noticeable scarring?
• What realistic results can I expect?
• Will the doctor be performing the procedure from first cut to last stitch?
• What are the risks associated with this procedure?

 

Boris M. Ackerman, M.D., is a board certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in facial rejuvenation with Endoscopy and Laser Liposculpture and Breast Surgery.  He was one of the first surgeons in California to utilize the laser in plastic surgery. 

Dr. Ackerman has been in private practice in Newport Beach since 1987.  He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his Doctorate of Medicine from the Dartmouth Medical School.  He performed his postgraduate training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Dr. Ackerman is on staff at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and is an active member of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and the Orange County Medical Association.  He was recently seen on the Discovery Channel’s Plastic Surgery Before and After, and MTV’s I Want A Famous Face.


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