Finding a Surgeon for Your Breast Surgery

Breast surgery is one of the first procedures to come to mind when anyone mentions plastic surgery, and this fact points to its popularity and prevalence today. With the number of breast surgeries being performed in the US, anyone who elects to undergo a procedure is now faced with the truly staggering task of choosing the right surgeon out of many thousands out there. The scope and murkiness of the search process is often enough to turn potential patients away before they even start. So how do you go about finding your breast surgeon? There are several key factors that you should use to nudge yourself in the right direction.

Cost as a Factor

Because most breast surgeries are elective cosmetic procedures, it’s unlikely that you will receive medical assistance from your insurance company. With that in mind, the cost and the payment options will probably be very important to potential patients. Talk to your surgeons about what kind of financing plans they offer, if any.

Don’t let cost be the sole determining factor, however. Remember that the results you’re shooting for with breast surgery will be with you for years to come. The cheapest is not always the best; indeed, the cheapest surgeon out there may prove far more expensive than you could ever have imagined if there are mistakes during the operation or complications after it! Keep in mind the importance of the operation you seek, and then decide whether or not you dollars are worth it.

The Importance of Certification

So besides his or her operation fee, how do you go about determining the expertise of your surgeon? Walking into any doctor’s office today, you be greeted by walls papered with certificates and awards—but don’t let sheer quantity overwhelm you. The best breast surgeons will stand out in quality. Ask your potential surgeon about his or her certification by well-respected organizations such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Also, don’t forget that breast augmentation surgeries are vastly different from breast reduction surgeries, which in turn can be a whole different story from breast reconstruction surgeries. Not every breast surgery is created equal, and skill in one procedure is no guarantee of success in another. Do your research into what boards are trustworthy for your specific category of breast surgery, and don’t be fooled by the number of self-designated boards out there.

Experience Speaks Volumes

Certification by a trustworthy organization guarantees that your surgeon has a certain level of technical skill, but experience is another matter altogether. Look into how long your potential surgeon has been performing breast surgery operations, and how often. Ask about previous patients’ satisfaction with the procedures. Request before and after photographs to get a visual testimonial of your surgeon’s skill. Experience can’t guarantee 100% satisfaction, but it’s a good way to get a feel for your surgeon.

Location, Location, Location

Finally, refine your search for a breast surgeon based on location. Fees are highly variable, but as a general rule of thumb, procedures on the two coasts of the US tend to cost more. With location in mind, consider both cost and the complications of travel before picking a place for your breast surgery.