How to Avoid Botched Plastic Surgery By on September 30, 2014

Lines on a torso help in surgical planningMany patients who come to our cosmetic surgery center wonder about the results that can be achieved. Ultimately, they want to be reassured that the surgery they undergo will yield great results and will be problem free. Undergoing breast augmentation surgery can enhance your curves, for example, but a botched surgery means dissatisfaction and possibly need for a revision procedure.

Let's take a moment right now to consider how you can get the best results out of your surgery. To avoid any horror stories, here are some tips for choosing the right plastic surgeon.

Experience Is a Major Virtue When It Comes to Surgery

As more patients turn to plastic surgery to improve a number of different features they are unhappy with, the number of botched plastic surgeries has risen. Many patients have hired less experienced doctors as a cost-cutting measure. Unfortunately, this puts a patient at even higher risk for a botched plastic surgery. Inexperienced doctors not only may botch a procedure that you asked for, but there are also a number of international doctors who may ignore your request and perform plastic surgery that you did not even ask for.

While the previous example is a bit extreme, it is still important to seek counsel from a licensed, experienced plastic surgeon before proceeding with any form of plastic surgery.

Check for Board Certification

Before agreeing to plastic surgery with any surgeon, check to see that your potential surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In the United States, any doctor is legally allowed to perform any procedure, so it is vital to know if your surgeon is certified to perform plastic surgery. Certified plastic surgeons have undergone at least two years of plastic surgery-specific training.

Take advantage of the fact that every state's medical board is available online, allowing you to check the records of any plastic surgeon you may be considering for your procedure.

Be Wary of Attempted "Upselling" on Surgery

Typically, if a surgeon recommends multiple procedures at the same time that seem unnecessary, that is reason for concern. While the plastic surgeon may pitch this to you as a time saver, ultimately it would mean more money in his or her pocket, and would also put you at additional risk for a botched plastic surgery.

Hospital Privileges Are Important to Consider

Check to see if your surgeon has hospital privileges. If not, this may be a red flag. Since plastic surgery is an outpatient procedure most times, if your doctor does not have hospital privileges, he or she has nowhere to admit you if complications arise from your surgery.

Ask Questions and Be an Active Participant In Your Care

Above anything else, feel free to come armed with a battery of questions for your potential plastic surgeon. Specifically, you might want to ask how often he or she has performed the procedure you are looking to have done. However, when it comes to your safety during your plastic surgery, no questions are off limits, so make sure to ask your potential plastic surgeon everything that you are curious to hear more about before proceeding.

Learn More About Your Options for Aesthetic Enhancement

To learn more about all of your options for enhancing your appearance, be sure to contact our cosmetic plastic surgery center today. The entire team here looks forward to your visit and helping you achieve the look of your dreams.

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Dr. Gregory T. Mesna

Mesna Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Center

Gregory T. Mesna MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of top-level experience. He performs a wide range of surgical and non-surgical procedures to enhance and rejuvenate the face, body, and breasts. He is proud to be affiliated with:

  • The American College of Surgeons (Fellow)
  • The American Board of Plastic Surgery
  • The Minnesota Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • The American Society of Plastic Surgeons

You can request a free consultation at our office in Minneapolis, MN, by contacting us online or calling (952) 927-4556.

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