Ask Dr. Man- Finding a Doctor

Dear Dr. Man, I live in Vermont and am visiting South Florida. I saw your column and thought it would be a good idea to write to you. I’d like to get some work done on my body- specifically, my face and my tummy. As I said, I live in Vermont and I don’t even know where to start when finding a doctor up there. Is there a website or phone number I can call to find reputable doctors? Signed, Emily

Dear Emily, When you decide to have cosmetic surgery, the first and most important step you can take is to find a doctor that is right for you, one that can help you reach your goals. There are many ways to go about finding a good doctor. In my opinion, the phone book and advertisements are not the best resources for information. Instead, I recommend asking friends, family members, and colleagues you respect. Another good source is your family doctor or other medical professionals. Exercise caution if you choose to use the Internet, and make sure any information you get is from a credible source. Be wary of web sites that provide referral services, which are often paid for by the doctor. Better Internet sources are those of professional organizations, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Once you have a list of doctors to choose from, I suggest calling a few offices and getting answers to the following important questions before deciding on a surgeon.

· Is the surgeon board-certified in plastic surgery? Board certified plastic surgeons are full-time plastic surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and who have the surgical skills and judgment to perform a wide range of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures on the total body.

· Is the surgeon a member in good standing of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Inc. and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)? These organizations represent board-certified plastic surgeons in the U.S. They can provide a list of board-certified plastic surgeons in your area. For more information about the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, call 888-4-plastic or visit www.plasticsurgery.org; and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, call 215-587-9322 or visit www.surgery.org).

· Is the surgical facility fully equipped and accredited to perform outpatient surgery? Does the surgeon have privileges to perform these same procedures in the hospital? Accrediting organizations that can provide you with more information are: the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (888-545-5222 or www.aaasf.org); the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (630-792-5800 or www. jaaacaho.org); and the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (847-853-6060 or www.aaahc.org).

Once you find this out, set up a consultation with the doctor and make sure you feel totally comfortable with him or her. Best of luck to you!

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Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. He has a successful private practice in Boca Raton, FL. For more information about Dr. Man, visit www.drman.com.