If you are interested in undergoing plastic surgery, the most important part of the process is choosing a plastic surgeon. You need to find a surgeon that you trust to help you reach your cosmetic goals, as mutual trust and respect act as the foundation for a safe and successful outcome.
Unfortunately, there are many physicians, dermatologists, and even dentists who inaccurately promote themselves as qualified to provide plastic surgery, deliberately misleading patients in the process. This is deceptive and dangerous, and these doctors are not deserving of your trust.
Along with making sure your surgeon has the correct credentials, there are a lot of other factors to consider when trying to find the very best plastic surgeon for your individual needs and goals. That is why we are offering this guide to help patients learn how to choose the right plastic surgeon.
How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon
Choosing your plastic surgeon will require some work and research on your part. You need to do everything possible to learn about the surgeon, investigating their past work to make sure that past patients were happy with the results of their chosen procedure.
Take a look at online reviews and testimonials to read firsthand accounts of past patients’ experiences. You should also look at any available before and after pictures so that you can verify that the results are as expected. You will also want to ask people you know and trust if they can refer you to a plastic surgeon. Word-of-mouth is oftentimes the best way to find an experienced and talented surgeon you can trust.
Checklist for Choosing Your Plastic Surgeon
Along with conducting background research on the surgeon, you can consult this checklist to help you learn how to choose a plastic surgeon. Any surgeon you are interested in should meet all of the following requirements:
- Is Board-Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
This is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialities as qualified in cosmetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery of the face and body. You should only choose a board-certified plastic surgeon. - Graduated from an accredited medical school.
Make sure to inquire where your plastic surgeon went to medical school. Once you find out, do a little research to make sure the school is accredited and has a solid reputation. - Has at least 6 years of training in surgery from an accredited, university-based program with a minimum of 3 years devoted to plastic and reconstructive surgery.
You only want to trust a surgeon who has the experience and training needed to provide you with amazing results. You also want to make sure the surgeon is a plastic and reconstructive surgery specialist, and not merely a doctor who dabbles in plastic surgery. - Performs surgery only in surgical facilities which are accredited by AAAASF, AAAHC, JCAHO, or Medicare.
These organizations inspect surgical facilities to make sure they offer a safe environment for surgery. They check to make sure the surgeon is using up-to-date equipment and medication, as well as evaluate the cleanliness of the facility. Your surgeon may even have an on-site accredited surgical facility. - Has privileges at area hospitals to perform the surgical procedures you are considering.
Having privileges in area hospitals ensures that your surgeon’s training, experience, and credentials have been verified by other physicians and are consistent with strict standards that ensure patient safety. - Has experience successfully performing the procedures you are considering.
There are some plastic surgeons who only specialize in facial plastic surgeries, and others who specialize in operating on the body. You want to make sure that your surgeon has experience and expertise with your chosen procedure.
Why Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?
As stated in our checklist, the first step in choosing your plastic surgeon is making sure that they are a part of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). This organization was founded in 1931, and the ASPS is known worldwide as the largest plastic surgery organization. All ASPS Member Surgeons have been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is the only dedicated plastic surgery board that places an emphasis on the face and body as well.
So why choose a board-certified plastic surgeon? Having board certification means that the plastic surgeon has completed all of the required training, testing, and peer assessment. The surgeon has proven their competency through a series of assessments, which should make you feel confident in their skills. Board certification in any other specialty does not ensure the same standards for training, experience, and testing.
You can be confident in your choice with Dr. Lapuerta knowing that:
- He is Triple Board Certified and Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
- He has over 20 years of experience
- He has performed over 20,000 procedures
- He has privileges at many Houston area hospitals to perform the same surgical procedures he offers at his office based operating facility, The Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas
- He has an excellent safety record
- He is the past President of the Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons
- He is the Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at St. Joseph Hospital
We hope our guide will help you to recognize a surgeon who is competent and qualified to provide cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgical services.