More Questions to Ask Your Cleveland Cosmetic Surgeon
As noted in our previous post, many people are offering cosmetic surgery procedures today. However, in a trend that board-certified Cleveland cosmetic surgeons find disturbing, many lack medical training in cosmetic surgery or are not board-certified in plastic surgery.
To protect yourself, you need to ask the following questions before scheduling a cosmetic surgery procedure:
- Will you be performing my cosmetic surgery?
Make sure you talk to the surgeon who will actually be performing your procedure. At some facilities, sales people meet with patients, sometimes pushing them into unnecessary procedures.
- Have you been disciplined?
On the Federation of State Medical Boards’ website, you can obtain a profile of your surgeon, including disciplinary actions taken in other states (a fee is charged for comprehensive profiles). There have been instances of doctors disciplined in one state simply moving their practice to a different state.
- Do you have hospital privileges? Where?
Before a physician is extended hospital privileges, his credentials and record are carefully screened by a panel of doctors to protect both the hospital and its patients. Hospital privileges allow a doctor to perform surgery and treat patients at the hospital.
- Is the hospital or surgery accredited?
Whether your surgery is performed in a hospital or surgical center, the facility should be licensed by the state and accredited by either the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care or Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
- Can I talk to former patients?
A Cleveland cosmetic surgeon should show you before and after photos of actual patients, and most will arrange for you to speak to a former patient.