I remember my mother always talking about our family pediatrician’s “gentle bedside manner” and how it helped to build trust in his medical assessments. It’s in that spirit that I emphasize the importance of good rapport with your plastic surgeon. If you sense that he/she is not taking you seriously, seems amused by your questions or concerns, or is not giving you his full attention, my advice is to keep looking.
People find their surgeons many ways, including seeing their names on “Best Doctors” lists year after year. It’s a good starting point, but being referred by a friend or a current patient is ideal.
Once you have some names check out their credentials. Where they were educated and trained should be readily available on their websites (mine is www.drzubowski.com). I always recommend physicians who are board certified, because they are considered to have a higher level of expertise in their chosen field by virtue of the testing standards applied to win board certification. You can check out whether your candidate is board certified by going to the free website certificationmatters.org.
I’m of the opinion that the doctor should be completely familiar with the procedure in which you are interested. Ask about his experience, and if he is comfortable in revealing how many such procedures he performs each year.
Finally, take a tour of the doctor’s center, to see if it measures up to your visual standards. At our center, we employ a staff of professionals who reflect my philosophy about how patients deserve to be treated. We want to demonstrate that you are our first priority.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you attain your aesthetic goals, please contact our office manager to schedule a consultation. I’m looking forward to meeting with you.