Board Certification
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) has formed a branch specifically for the certification of plastic surgeons, which produces highly trained, qualified surgeons dedicated to providing their patients with the highest quality care possible in the industry. Many surgeons are certified, but seek out those certified by the ABPS, because they are the best of the best, which your body deserves.

Environmental Safety
To ensure your safety during the surgery, consider the environmental safety aspects related to cosmetic surgery, including the anesthetist and the operating facility itself. When choosing a facility, ask about the anesthetist’s qualifications, which should be either a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) or a Board Certified Anesthetist. Waking up in the middle of a surgery because the anesthesia was too light would be an absolutely traumatic experience. Also consider the facilities levels of accreditation, which, for your safety, should be American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Heath Care (AAAHC), or Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) certified.

Experience
Cosmetic surgery contains several different branches for procedures, so different surgeons specialize in different aspects of surgery. For example, if you were to want liposuction or a tummy-tuck, a surgeon that specializes in facial reconstruction would not be the best option. Pick a board-certified plastic surgeon that has trained in the procedure you want, and performed it numerous times, so that you know that specific surgeon has the experience they should.

Connection

Changing the dimensions of your body is almost always an emotional occasion, and your surgeon is going to be the person you see most during this time of transition. Make sure that you and your cosmetic specialist connect on an emotional level, so that you feel comfortable around them and can express concerns about the procedure as well as your personal habits and medical history. Consider whether or not you trust this surgeon to make choices based on your personal safety, as altering your body is a big responsibility.

Aesthetics
When deciding which surgeon you want, an important factor is their aesthetic views. This is the point where no amount of reviews or recommendations will help you; personal taste varies dramatically from one person to the next. Look over several different plastic surgeon’s patient’s results, and consider if the qualities shown match your own personal tastes. Be sure the surgeon you choose shares similar thoughts on beauty. When comparing previous patient’s results with your own body, look for similarities in body shape, facial structure, and age. All these factors relate directly to your own future procedure, so inspect the results carefully.