How to Choose the Best Plastic Surgeon

A plastic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in reconstructive procedures like reducing disfigurement or scars caused by congenital disabilities, accidents, or treatment for other diseases. The UAE has some of the best plastic surgeons in the world. Plastic surgery has been a rising trend in the UAE for both men and women. The international standards offered by specialists also attracts foreigners.

What Does a Plastic Surgeon Do?

Plastic surgeons do more than aesthetics or cosmetic procedures; they not only enhance a person’s appearance but also restore your appearance after an accident or illness like cancer. A plastic surgeon can work on any body part, but some specialize in specific parts like the head.

Unlike heart surgeons and cancer doctors, plastic surgeons don't own a disease or a body part; they work on all parts and treat all kinds of diseases. They also collaborate with other health professionals.

Plastic surgeons have the knowledge and skills on how to design a flap graft or skin graft. They know how to transfer skin and tissue from one body part to another, use implantable materials like metal and plastic, and manage complex wounds.

Apart from cosmetic procedures, they also treat face and skull bones like repairing cleft palates, reattach severed toes, fingers, or limbs, and treat congenital deformities. They also do microvascular plastic surgery using microscopes and fine sutures.

Tips for Choosing the Best Plastic Surgeon

Considering plastic surgery is a huge decision that can change your life positively. Apart from thinking about the procedure, it’s also necessary to think about finding the right plastic surgeon. Here are tips to help you make the right decision.

Referrals

The easiest way to find a reputable plastic surgeon is to ask your primary care doctor. You can also ask your friends and family who have gone through similar situations; ask them about their experience and whether they would go back to that specialist. This will help you make up your mind without doing much.

Expertise

The best plastic surgeons in Dubai are board-certified; this is a complex specialty that requires dedication and years of training and education. Board certification guarantees that the physician has the medical skills required and will follow safety requirements. Surgeons will have many different certificates which might confuse you; it is wise to look for board certification.

This is a certificate of assurance that you are in able and qualified hands. Board certificates are renewable; this show shows you that the surgeon regularly checks his skills. Board-certified plastic surgeons have to adhere to high ethical values, earn their medical degrees from accredited institutions and completed the required time in cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgery program.

Experience

Surgeons work with their hands; this means the longer the physician has practiced the craft, the better. The right skills, knowledge, and experience give a plastic surgeon confidence. It is necessary to find out whether the surgeon specializes in the procedure you wish to go through. You can gauge the physician's effectiveness considering the number of procedures related to your case. The answer should be forthcoming and straightforward; avoid surgeons with wild or unreasonable claims about their experiences. Although quantity does not guarantee the quality, it indicates competency.

What Appeals to You?

What is attractive to someone might not be attractive to you; this is why you cannot rely on a surgeon’s experience or a friend’s recommendation only. It is necessary to consider the results of each physician you interview. You need to determine the surgeon’s aesthetic sense; consider the before and after photos, compare each surgeon’s results and choose the ones that appeal to you. Pay attention to patients with similar or related cases to yours. Look for patients with similar facial or body structure, around your age, and similar concerns. Also, look for consistency in the results of all individuals who had the procedure you are considering.

Trust Your Gut

When you visit a surgeon’s office, it is necessary to consider how the physician and staff make you feel. It is wise to choose a surgeon who makes you feel comfortable, listens and does not brush you away or judge and explains every detail in simple language instead of complicated doctor terms. Choose a plastic surgeon who you can trust with the results and safety. Do you like spending time with the physician? Do you trust him to recommend what is safe and right? Do you feel comfortable asking questions? Are you comfortable disclosing your habits and full medical history to the surgeon?

Read Reviews

Reading online reviews allows you to understand what it is like working with a particular surgeon. This is an easy way of getting views from different perspectives and backgrounds. Apart from the star ratings, read about the patients’ experiences and how the specialist made them feel. Also, check out whether they would recommend the doctor to their family or friends. It is wise to read reviews across multiple platforms before making a decision.

Consider Gender

It is important to feel comfortable around your surgeon; it is wise to consider the gender of the physician because you need to discuss personal information. Plastic surgeons and other surgeons are getting more skilled in treating men and women differently. It is wise to ask the surgeon about his recent experience and training related to your gender and condition.

Research the Facility

You are most likely to have your procedure done at the plastic surgeon's hospital; it is necessary to consider a health facility where you will receive the best care. Hospital quality is an essential factor to consider because patients in top-rated hospitals have better survival rates and fewer complications. It is also necessary to consider whether the location matters to you; it might be convenient to choose a hospital near you.

Deciding to go for plastic surgery is a huge step and requires you to choose a qualified plastic surgeon. Although it sounds complicated, you only need to consider a few things like board certification, experience, and reading reviews. It is wise to research various surgeons before choosing one.

If you are looking for other specialty doctors, you can find the best ones on ArabiaMD.