Board Certified Dallas Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Azouz discusses considerations when selecting a Plastic Surgeon.

You are among the 33,000,000 Americans who are to undergo surgery this year. The most critical factor in the success of your operation is your choice of a plastic surgeon. Important as this is, most people are uncertain as to how to go about it. Here are some guidelines to assist you in selecting a qualified surgeon.

How to select the best plastic surgeon for you?

Check on board certification

The Directory of Medical Specialists lists all board-certified surgeons. Certification by a specialty board is a good indication that the Surgeon is qualified to perform your operation.

It is important to remember there is a difference between a plastic surgeon and other surgeons who perform cosmetics. Dr. Azouz is a plastic surgeon, which means he has completed plastic surgery training at an accredited plastic surgery program.

Ask to see credentials

It is proper to ask a plastic surgeon to see his or her credentials and to study them carefully. The doctor should welcome your questions about his or her background. Obscure medical schools you might not recognize may be of good quality, but you would be wise to find out more about them.

Membership in the American College of Surgeons

Membership in the American College of Surgeons is another good indication that a surgeon is qualified to perform your operation.

Consult the Directory of Medical Specialists

If you are looking for a surgeon on your own, begin by checking his or her training, or for your reassurance, you may wish to check on the Surgeon’s qualifications suggested by your family physician. Check your local library for the current Directory of Medical Specialists. You should insist on a Board Certified surgeon.

Consult your family doctor

Consult your family physician. If you have confidence in your family doctor, you will have confidence in the Surgeon he or she recommends. Through years of experience in referring patients to specialists, he or she becomes familiar with their qualifications. If you do not have a family doctor, a proper procedure is to ask any other physician you know and trust.

Contact the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, (ASPS),

The ASPS can give you information concerning the Board Certification Status of any Plastic Surgeon, sharing information on experience and membership status.

Check hospital affiliations

A surgeon’s hospital affiliation is another yardstick of his or her competence. Eligible hospitals have been accredited by the Joint Commission of the Accreditation of Hospitals. For a surgeon to be granted surgical privileges in the best hospitals, he or she must have demonstrated competence.

An important decision

A neighbor or a friend may have had good results with a particular surgeon who performs the same type of operation that you plan on having, but again, you should attempt to verify his or her qualifications by using these guidelines. If you doubt a surgeon’s qualifications, it may be wise to seek consultation with more than one plastic surgeon before committing.

Request a consultation with Dr. Azouz

Dr. Azouz has a successful trajectory in Plastic Surgery. If you are considering undergoing Plastic Surgery in Dallas, request a consultation with Dr. Azouz by calling (972) 702-8888 or filling out our online form.