Dying For Plastic Surgery? Do Your Homework First

Plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Man advises people to obtain as much information as possible before selecting a doctor for a procedure. He offers a list of essential questions to ask doctors during the consultation that can help them make the right choice.

(PRWEB) January 24, 2004 --Surgery is never risk free. Yet when it comes to plastic surgery, people often ignore the fact that not all makeovers end as happily as on television.

According to Dr. Daniel Man, a plastic surgeon in Boca Raton, Florida, since 1983, patients should arm themselves with as much information as possible.

Its not like buying a computer which can be returned if youre not satisfied. Plastic surgery is yours forever--whether you like it or not," he said.

Dr. Man offers the following suggestions on how patients can protect themselves:

Select a doctor who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. They provide lists of qualified. surgeons. Other good sources are local physicians, nurses and people who have had plastic surgery.

Be wary of Internet listings and ads in the Yellow Pages, newspapers, magazines and on television.

Prepare questions for the consultation. If you are not satisfied with the answers or the doctor, then contact another. Here are essential questions to ask:

•   Ask to see the membership certificates for the professional societies mentioned above.

•   Does the doctor have staff and operating privileges at one or more local hospitals?

•   How many procedures has the doctor performed of the type you are considering? Ask to see before and after photos and if you can contact patients.

•   Where will the surgery be performed? If at the doctors facility, is it licensed and accredited?

•   Is medical clearance required from your personal physician? Be wary if the doctor does not require this along with information on pre-existing conditions.

•   What type of anesthesia will be used and who will administer it? You only want a board-certified M.D. anesthesiologist. Discuss all risks.    

•   Does the surgeon use the BIS Monitoring System which measures patients brain waves while under anesthesia and administers or decreases the amounts?

•   Are there options to the procedure you are considering? There are many effective non-surgical procedures that should be investigated.

•   What results can you expect? How long will they last? Will there be scars and where? How can they be concealed?

•   Is it advisable to undergo more than one procedure at the same time? How safe are extreme makeovers"?

•   What are the possible complications? Will there be pain or discomfort? How long is the recovery time?

•   When can you return to work and resume normal activities? When can you wear makeup?

•   What are the fees for the surgeon, nurses, operating room and follow-up visits? Are they covered by insurance? Is financing available?

When deciding on plastic surgery, only by diligently doing your homework can you be sure you have made the right choices.

For more information, visit Dr. Mans Web site where you can also order his new guidebook to cosmetic surgery, "The New Art of Man: Faces of Plastic Surgery."