Questions to Ask Before Cosmetic Surgery

— -- The decision to undergo plastic surgery should not be taken lightly. The American Society for Plastic Surgery offers the following advice for finding a surgeon.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Plastic Surgeon:

   Are you an ASPS Member Surgeon? (If he or she answers "yes," your surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery, has hospital privileges and only performs surgery in accredited facilities.)

   Are you board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada?

   Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?

   Is the surgical facility accredited?

   How many procedures of this type have you performed?

Your Plastic Surgeon Should:

   Answer all of your questions thoroughly and clearly.

   Ask for your thoughts about recommended treatment.

   Offer alternatives, where appropriate, without pressuring you to consider unneeded or additional procedures.

   Welcome questions about your procedure and his or her professional qualifications, experience, costs and payment policies.

   Make clear the risks of surgery and the possible outcomes.

   Give you information about the procedure you want.

   Leave the final decision to you.

Questions to Ask After You've Selected a Surgeon:

   Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

   What will be expected of me to get optimal results?

   What are the risks involved with my procedure?

   How long a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?

   Will I need to take time off work? If so, how long?