When evaluating whether to use a particular plastic surgeon, there are a lot of factors to consider. Talking with other patients about their experience with a surgeon is one of the best.
Plastic Surgery - Talk with Past Patients
Regardless of the medical professional, every office is going to try to put forth their best side to prospective patients. Given that plastic surgery is all about appearances, a plastic surgery practice should be particularly good and doing so. That being said, there is nothing wrong with plastic surgeons or any business offering the best possible view of their practice to entice you to use them. Despite this effort, there is one area that always reveals the quality of the practice - past patients.
A quality plastic surgeon is going to have happy patients. When evaluating a surgeon, you should ask if there is a list of former patients you can speak with regarding their experiences. Not all offices have such a list, but it is a very good sign if they do and you should use it
Because of privacy laws passed in the last few years, it is highly unlikely you will be given the name and number of past patients. It is simply illegal unless they sign a thick waiver, which most surgeons don't want to bother them with. Instead, the surgeon will usually give your name and number to the past patients, who then contact you.
The nature of plastic surgery is such that patients often like to show off their results. As a result, these individuals will often agree to meet you in person if you ask. Whether you speak with them over the phone or meet for lunch, there are a number of questions you should ask them.
1. How did the process differ from what you expected?
2. Did the final result look like what you wanted when you went in for the surgery?
3. How was recovery?
4. How did the nurses treat you before and after the surgery?
5. What do you know now that you did not going into the surgery?
6. What was the biggest surprise?
7. What did you like least about the services provided and how strongly do you feel about that?
8. Would you do it again?
9. Are you happy with the results?
Obviously, the plastic surgeon is not going to put you in touch with patients that had a bad experience. With this in mind, you need to pay close attention to what the patients say and what they may hint at. The information may open your eyes to issues you have not considered or may put you at ease with the surgeon in question.
As with any business, speaking with previous patients is a great way to find out the skinny on the quality of a plastic surgeon.