The number of women and men having plastic surgery is on the rise, with 1.8 million cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2017, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. That popularity means more people are trying to break into the world of aesthetic surgery. To take advantage of the high demand for cosmetic procedures, some more unscrupulous medical professionals have begun offering plastic surgery – even if they are not qualified to do so.
If you’re just starting to consider getting cosmetic surgery, it can be difficult to know where to begin. But when you’re thinking about changing any aspect of your body, you have many important decisions to make, and it pays to do your homework. Getting plastic surgery is an investment in yourself, and you want results you can be proud of – not ones that make you regret getting the procedure done.
With that in mind, here are our top five things to look for when choosing the best plastic surgeon.
Board Certification
Board certification is unquestionably the most important qualification when it comes to deciding who will perform your surgery. That’s because board certification is a promise that your chosen surgeon is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced practitioners of the art of cosmetic surgery.
The recent rise in popularity surrounding cosmetic surgery has led many physicians to begin marketing themselves as plastic surgeons, even though they are not qualified to perform aesthetic procedures due to a lack of formal training. How is this possible?
Legally, there are few limits on which procedures a physician can perform, or how they choose to advertise their practice. You may be surprised to learn that it is lawful – though, of course, not ethical – for any state-licensed physician to call themselves a cosmetic surgeon, even if their background and training are in a completely different field of medicine. And, while you may have a good relationship with your allergist, you probably would not want her attempting to give you a facelift.
As you are doing your research, look for surgeons’ background information and make sure it includes at least one board certification in cosmetic surgery. Earning board certification indicates a cosmetic surgeon’s dedication to their craft, since becoming board-certified entails completing an exhaustive written and oral exam and committing to continuing education to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.
Leading Atlanta cosmetic surgeon Dr. Pradeep Sinha has earned double board certifications: one in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and another in head and neck surgery. He has completed more than 10,000 procedures over his 30-plus-year career, and is an elected fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. He has also received multiple awards and honors over his distinguished career, and is proud to have been included as a top doctor on nearly every national, regional and local list.
Training
Your surgeon’s level of training is almost equally as important as whether they have earned board certification. In addition to his long and successful career as a cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Sinha also has specialized training and experience as an ear, nose and throat surgeon. This blend of artistic and functional knowledge has given him an unparalleled surgical perspective. Dr. Sinha is not only a medical doctor, but he has also earned a Ph.D.
Facility and Surgical Center
For your safety during and immediately after your surgical procedure, you must make sure the facility where your surgery will take place is modern, clean and furnished with all the latest and most high-tech equipment.
The Atlanta Institute for Facial Aesthetic Surgery is considered to be one of the most advanced facial plastic surgery centers in the metropolitan Atlanta area. We have a newly constructed, state-of-the-art office which features the latest technology for evaluating and imaging patients, including Vectra M3 3D imaging software to help patients visualize how they will look after their procedure.
We have a new, modern, state-licensed and Medicare-accredited ambulatory surgery and recovery center next door to our office, which allows us to offer our patients a lower cost and safe, specialized facilities that are not available elsewhere. We have also received certification from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Accredited surgical facilities include key life support systems to ensure your well-being just in case something goes wrong.
Personality
It’s a great idea to set up an appointment to meet potential surgeons in person. Doing so will give you the best sense of your surgeon’s personality and how they interact with patients. If a surgeon seems warm, compassionate, friendly and open, you’ll usually notice within the first few minutes of conversation. On the other hand, if a surgeon gives you a bad first impression, fails to put you at ease or does not seem like a good listener, you may want to look elsewhere.
You deserve to be under the care of a surgeon who makes you feel comfortable at every stage of the process, and with whom you can be fully open and honest about your goals for the surgery. Pay attention to how the other staff members at the clinic interact with you, too. Are they approachable? How quickly do they respond when you call and have to leave a voicemail?
Dr. Sinha has received many complimentary five-star Google, Yelp and Facebook reviews from patients who have left comments such as, “Dr. Sinha has a real sense of value for his patients. His bedside manner is out of this world and his expertise is very precise. You get the perfect result each and every time. I can’t imagine going to anyone else from now on.”
Results
Reading online reviews is one good way to put yourself in the shoes of other cosmetic surgery patients and give yourself a feel for their experience. However, while looking through reviews is an excellent place to start, Dr. Sinha firmly believes in the adage “A picture is worth a thousand words.” That’s why he is proud to show his galleries of before-and-after photos of previous patients. Look through pictures of people who have had the same procedure you are considering, especially those who have a similar face shape and bone structure as you do. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, and the body of work of a talented cosmetic surgeon can – and does – speak for itself.
Dr. Sinha Is Atlanta’s Top Choice for Plastic Surgery Throughout Atlanta
With so many options for plastic surgery in the metropolitan Atlanta area, it can seem overwhelming at first. However, this guide provides an excellent starting point for factors you need to consider as you do your research. Now that you know more about choosing the best plastic surgeon in Atlanta, call us at 404-256-5428 to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Sinha today. If you’re in New York, and are looking for a great surgeon, we recommend visiting Dr. Shridharani.
