By Simona Pautler, MD, FACS

After thinking about it for years, you’ve finally decided to do it — you want aesthetic plastic surgery. So how do you make an educated and confident decision on surgeon choice? Here are a few tips to make your search a little easier, and hopefully land you in the office of a surgeon who is well-trained, competent and trustworthy.

Training and credentials are extremely important. Some physicians claim to practice cosmetic surgery but haven’t undergone any formal surgical training. Your surgeon should be trained in a residency program that includes specialty training in plastic surgery.

You can look up your surgeon online to investigate his or her training, or simply call his or her office and ask. Besides having an M.D. behind his or her name, your surgeon may also have the initials F.A.C.S. This means he or she is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a prestigious organization of surgeons from all specialties that verifies doctors’ training, ethical judgment and continuing medical education.

It’s also important to look for a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Don’t be fooled by the phrase “board certified,” as it can refer to a multitude of cosmetic surgery boards that admit physicians not trained in plastic surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons only admits fully-trained plastic surgeons who have passed their boards, have been recommended by more senior plastic surgeons and who continually update their knowledge and skills. Look for membership to this society (also known as the ASPS) and certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Another important issue is whether or not your surgeon has hospital privileges. Many plastic surgeons operate in their office or outpatient surgery centers, which is very convenient to patients, as they get to go home at night.

However, there are always risks involved with any operation, big or small, and if you should require medical attention in a hospital, it is safer and more reassuring to be admitted and cared for by the same surgeon who did your surgery.

Discuss with your surgeon how additional costs are handled in the remote chance that you have an unanticipated complication associated with your surgery. What if you need emergency surgery or diagnostic testing? Are you alone going to be responsible for these additional financial obligations? These can be quite expensive, sometimes more than your original surgery. Is your health insurance going to be billed? What if your surgeon doesn’t participate in health insurance plans? These are serious issues, and, although unlikely to happen, you need to at least be informed and accepting of how they would be handled. To ease patient concerns and provide peace of mind, some surgeons participate in Cosmetassure, an insurance policy exclusively for cosmetic surgery patients. Cosmetassure (www.cosmetassure.com) is available only to plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

You should have an idea of what your surgeon’s technical results are like. Many surgeons’ websites are replete with before and after photos. This is helpful, but you should also ask to see additional photos of patients who have had your procedure. In particular, ask to see what your surgeon would consider his or her average result, not just the best. If you feel that you would be satisfied with his or her average result, you have developed a realistic sense of what to expect for yourself if you choose that surgeon.

Finally, you should feel comfortable with your surgeon, and find him or her likable. His or her staff should be warm, informative and patient with you. Are they kind to you when you call, or are they short and curt with you? Are your questions answered to your satisfaction, or does the staff seem annoyed and put upon when you take up some of their time. The staff is a reflection of the surgeon. If they rub you the wrong way, or you get bad vibes from them, listen to your gut feelings and don’t be afraid to go elsewhere.

There are many well-trained, competent plastic surgeons who perform all types of plastic and aesthetic surgical procedures, and several are here in the Pittsburgh area. The Internet is a good place to start your search. Visit the American Society of Plastic Surgery’s website, www.plasticsurgery.org for more information. Hopefully you will find the right doctor and have that surgery comfortably and safely. Good luck!

Dr. Pautler is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the ASPS. Her practice is located in McMurray, at 3311 Washington Road. She can be reached at 724-969-0930, or via E-mail, info@drpautler.com. For more information about plastic surgery or Dr. Pautler’s practice, visit www.drpautler.com.