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CHOOSING A SURGEONIn the UK anyone with a
medical degree is licensed by law to perform cosmetic
surgery. Many clinics hire doctors with no or incomplete
plastic surgery training to operate on patients. The
level of skill and experience offered varies widely.
Step one is to inform yourself about plastic surgery,
about the particular procedure you are considering, and
then to find a top quality, fully trained and
experienced plastic surgeon. Accessible sources include
your own doctor, the articles on this web site and
introductory paperbacks.
When choosing your surgeon consider:
- Qualifications - Check them.
- Experience - Frequency of performing the procedure.
- Consultation - Look for comprehensiveness, openness, compassion.
- Advertising - Be sceptical.
- Professional referrals - Ask doctors.
- Testimonials - Can you speak to a previous patient?
- Personal referrals - Discuss with knowledgeable friends.
- Fees - Expect clarity.
- Instinct - Trust your own.
QualificationsIn the UK the General Medical
Council (GMC) holds up-to-date lists so that you can
check a surgeon's credentials (+44(0)20 7580 7642). He
should be listed on the Specialist Register in Plastic
Surgery. Experienced and successful surgeons will be
happy to give you numbers of other professional
organisations to which they belong - for example, in the
USA, the American Academy for cosmetic Surgery. If
certified by the AACS, the doctor has graduated from an
accredited medical school and completed at least five
years of additional residency - at least three years of
general surgery (or its equivalent) and two or three
years of plastic surgery. He must also have passed
comprehensive written and oral exams. |
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