This week’s Atlantic Coast Aesthetics Question of the Week comes to us from a viewer in Hollywood, FL. The question, which is deceptively simple on its face, is “How do I know which cosmetic surgeon to go with when they give me different options for a Mommy Makeover?” Dr. Pane wanted to address this question because it can actually be broken down into two very important sections, both of which can have a lasting impact on the outcome and results of the procedure. The first section is “How do I choose a cosmetic surgeon?”
Dr. Pane observed that especially in southern Florida, competition among cosmetic surgeons is quite high. In addition, many surgeons who are not certified specifically as plastic or cosmetic surgeons hang out their shingles to offer cosmetic surgery. While this does not mean any given provider is necessarily unqualified or bad at their job, it can mean that these providers may be working from a more limited understanding of what is and is not possible in the field and may be more “married” to one specific way of doing a given procedure, which may or may not be best for the patient’s individual needs.
Ideally, according to Dr. Pane, the first step would be to ensure that the physician is certified in cosmetic surgery. Dr. Pane himself carries board certification in both cosmetic and general surgery, meaning that he has completed the rigorous training and study course necessary to demonstrate experience and competency in both these fields. The point of board certification is to ensure that a given physician has the skill and experience to deal with a wider range of possible issues more effectively than someone who is not. Again, this does not make a non-board-certified surgeon automatically incompetent, but it is likely the available skill set will prove to be more limited. Checking whether or not a given doctor has hospital privileges is a quick way to check the doctor’s qualifications, because doctors without hospital privileges to perform certain procedures may be trying to “break into” the field.
The real secret here, Dr. Pane said, is trusting and feeling comfortable with the surgeon the patient ultimately decides to go with. Proven education and experience are wonderful, but if the patient isn’t comfortable with the doctor’s opinion or manner, the doctor-patient relationship is likely to be more strained and less effective in the long term. A doctor who listens to patient needs and concerns and advances realistic prognoses is far more likely to deliver a good result than one who does not.
The second and more complex question concerns choosing the right procedure or methodology for a given patient. Some cosmetic surgeons perform a given procedure, like a Mommy Makeover, this way and that based on personal preference. Others do the reverse, while still others take a different approach altogether. Having a preference for a particular method of performing a specific procedure doesn’t automatically mean the result will be bad, but some methods lend themselves to better results in some situations than others.
A good litmus test for deciding whether the specified procedure or methodology is appropriate is how detailed the doctor can be about what to expect before, during and after the procedure, from the day of to a year or more post-op. The doctor should also provide alternatives and be prepared to explain the benefits, drawbacks, risks and prognosis for each of them. If the doctor says there’s only one way to do a given procedure, Dr. Pane noted that this is occasionally true, but usually there is more than one avenue depending upon the type of procedure, the patient’s body type and other physical factors in play. The best chance for a happy and successful outcome to a given procedure is a doctor and patient who can work together, share information and listen to one another to choose the “right” method as a coordinated effort.
If you would like to ask Dr. Pane or the staff of ACA a question about cosmetic surgery, we invite you to visit our Facebook page, contact us at https://acplasticsurg.com or call us at 561-422-4116. Not only may you find your question is ACA’s next Question of the Week, but you might also help someone else who has the same question but isn’t sure who or how to ask. At ACA, we believe that patients who make it their business to get educated and ask questions about cosmetic surgery tend to be much happier with the results they get and are a lot more likely to love the body they get!