How do I select a great plastic surgeon?

The most important step you can take toward realizing your cosmetic goals is to choose the right Pasadena or Inland Empire plastic surgeon. A great plastic surgeon meets the highest professional and personal standards.

Insist that any surgeon you make an appointment with has impeccable credentials: comprehensive training, an accredited residency and certification by the prestigious American Board of Plastic Surgery. The best surgeons gain additional memberships into other highly respected professional organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) or the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

While experience builds a doctor's knowledge base, just as important is a surgeon's commitment to keeping up with the very latest information. Don't hesitate to ask a doctor directly what they do to keep up with the newest products, studies and procedural breakthroughs.

When considering Pasadena and Riverside, California plastic surgeons, you deserve a surgeon who listens to you. Remarkably, some surgeons leave the initial consultation to a nurse or patient coordinator. Expect your surgeon to meet with you in person from the get-go and to take a sincere interest in talking with you about the specific changes you desire. A surgeon's clear understanding of your cosmetic goals is the foundation for a successful procedure.

You are entitled to complete and honest information from your surgeon. Both the pros and cons of every option available to you should be covered thoroughly enough for you understand the benefits of each procedure and the basic steps involved. The ethical surgeon will also speak about the complications associated with each option. While it is fine to expect only the best results for each procedure, the wise doctor also prepares for each complication and has the confidence to discuss these issues frankly with patients.

Your surgeon should offer you the phone numbers of some patients who have already undergone the same procedure that you are considering. Check these references to see if they are thrilled about their results and would recommend the surgeon.

A doctor guided by strong ethics will never pressure you into undergoing a procedure. Important personal decisions often require consideration time. High-pressure sales techniques have no place in medicine.

Your cosmetic surgery should be one of the most joyous and fulfilling experiences of your life. Choose a surgeon worthy of your own high standards. Learn more about choosing a surgeon and other important aspects of cosmetic surgery when you browse frequently asked questions answered by Dr. Wang himself.