Deciding to have plastic surgery is a serious decision with profound consequences. Subject to the procedures chosen (facelift, rhinoplasty, body contouring), one of the main factors impacting outcome is the surgeon that will perform the surgery. The Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area puts a premium on a professional image and holds subtlety as a very high priority. Therefore, finding the right surgeon can only be achieved through diligent research and informed decision making.
Reason Why Surgeon Choice Matters
The heavily commercialized medical marketplace of today has led to an uptick in media advertising by both physicians and non-physicians claiming to specialize in cosmetic surgery. The fact is that anyone who has a valid medical license may legally perform cosmetic surgery; this statement is true regardless of the surgeon’s training and/or experience. This fact allows for tremendous potential personal and health risks when choosing the best plastic surgeon in DC , which elevates the importance of the surgeon selection decision.
In Washington, D.C., baseline characteristics of the metropolitan population require more refined, elegant and non-detectable results for cosmetic procedures. The sentiment expressed by professionals living in D.C., Maryland and Virginia consistently is the following: “I want to look good but I do not want anyone to know how I achieved that look.” Therefore, it is imperative that you find a surgeon that understands and respects your aesthetic needs.
Board Certification: Non-Negotiable First Step
The most important credential to confirm when researching a cosmetic surgeon is board certification by either the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). Both of these boards are considered to be the gold standard for board certification in plastic surgery, and they are both recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
Having board certification means that your selected surgeon has successfully completed six years or more of surgical training, passed multiple board examinations, only performs surgery in accredited surgical facilities, and complies with continuing education requirements. Watch Out for Deceptive Statements
Saying a surgeon is “board-certified” isn’t good enough, considering anyone holding a simple medical license could legally use that term. The term “Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon” is very misleading. Because the American Board of Medical Specialties does not recognize cosmetic surgery as an independent specialty, members of the cosmetic surgery category could include obstetricians, gynecologists, dermatologists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons who perform cosmetic surgery without ever having completed a plastic surgery residency program.
Always make sure that your surgeon has a member seal from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) or is a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) so that you know that they have gone through extensive training and meet high standards of care.
Get the Facts About Your Surgeon
Once you find out if a surgeon is board-certified, do additional research on the surgeon’s medical education and training. For instance, was the surgeon educated at an accredited medical school? Did the surgeon then complete a plastic surgery residency? Did the surgeon have a fellowship in his area of expertise?
Also, phone the surgeon’s office and see if they have privileges to perform your planned surgery at an accredited hospital. Being able to use an accredited hospital means that the surgeon meets a standard of safety acceptable to the hospital; therefore, should something go wrong with your surgery, your surgeon will be accountable for it through his or her peers at the hospital. Look for a surgeon who does a large number of your planned surgery, as experienced surgeons have performed surgeries on different body designs and anatomies, and they will know how to modify their surgical techniques to provide you with excellent results.
Look at the Before and After Pictures
Examining your surgeon’s ‘Before and After’ photos is one of the most telling research steps you can take. During your search for the surgeon that is right for you, look closely at the ‘Before” photos to look for features that are apparent in all of the surgeon’s patients. Some of the characteristics to look for include natural-looking side profiles with slight tapering of the jaw line, youthful appearing cheeks with no evidence of overfilling, location of the surgeon’s incisions, and well-proportioned body parts to create natural-looking body contouring.
Some characteristics that raise red flags include individuals with overly tight and pulled features, individuals with hollow cheeks, identical results on patients who had different types of surgery, and the presence of visible or poorly healed scars.Just because a plastic surgeon has a small gallery of client photos doesn’t mean they’re not skilled at what they do. Many patients who get great results want their results to remain private.
Many factors go into patient reviews, including how good the surgeon is at fostering a good relationship with the patient. Patient reviews are usually given on three main sites that provide honest feedback from real patients. These sites are Healthgrades, Google, and RealSelf. You want to read reviews where patients consistently mention that their results were natural looking, they were educated about the procedure, the expectations were realistic, the staff were friendly, and all patients were treated with respect. You also want to see how the office responded to negative reviews, and you want to see how professionally and constructively those responses were made—this type of response indicates that the office is dedicated to their patient’s satisfaction.
A variety of facial plastic surgery procedures should be available when you consult with a facial plastic surgeon about having surgery performed. The facelift is the procedure that is still considered the “gold standard” for correcting moderate/advanced aging in the face and neck area, however, due to modern surgical techniques that have allowed for more repositioning of the tissues than just pulling the skin tight.
A brow lift is the procedure that will help you get rid of that tired-looking forehead and/or the angry eyebrows, by lifting your eyebrows up and eliminating the wrinkles in your forehead that usually create your tired or angry appearance. Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is performed to remove the excess skin and/or fat from your upper and lower eyelids to give you a more youthful appearance. Rhinoplasty (the “nose job”) provides some of the most difficult surgical artistry that is performed as a result of an artist creating an improved look to the nose and for functional purposes of eliminating any breathing problems you may have. A neck lift is a surgical process that will remove any loose skin, banding of the muscles, and fat from your neck to provide definition to your jawline.
Considerations in Your Decision, Location and Accessibility
The D.C. metropolitan area is very fortunate to have many qualified surgeons who can provide you with the results you are looking for. The D.C. metropolitan area is home to many board-certified plastic surgeons, with offices in Georgetown, McLean, Reston, and other locations that are easily accessible to you.
If you are considering having plastic surgery in Richmond, Virginia, which is approximately two hours south of D.C., you will also find many options for surgeons that you should seriously consider. There are many highly qualified plastic surgeons in and around Richmond, VA, some of whom are affiliated with VCU Medical Center and others who practice at other accredited facilities. Patients seeking surgery from the D.C. area often broaden their search to Richmond, looking for surgeons who have specific areas of expertise or greater availability. Most plastic surgeons will accept health insurance to cover reconstructive surgery, while many also provide financing options including CareCredit or Alphaeon for cosmetic surgery.
When selecting a surgeon, there are several hazards you should look out for. While there are a number of board certified surgeons practicing in the D.C. area, some surgeons may falsely represent themselves as “board certified cosmetic surgeons.” Patients should be aware that the American Board of Medical Specialties does not recognize board certification in cosmetic surgery, which may indicate a lack of training.
You want to choose a surgeon who is able to explain their technique in detail and can provide many before and after pictures. Be cautious of practitioners who advertise “miracle lifts” or gimmicky procedures that sound too good to be true. Also, be careful of “Top Doc” references you may see in magazines, because some of them are just advertisements.
Confirm the surgeon has privileges to operate in the hospital, which signifies that the surgeon meets the same hospital level safety standards that all surgeons must meet. Avoid surgeons who place pressure on you to have surgery, or make false promises. Also, be cautious of significantly lower prices than other qualified surgeons; if something is that much cheaper than most, there is usually a good reason for it.
Consultation
When you go for your consultation, this is your chance to observe how the surgeon interacts with you. To help you evaluate the surgeon, you need to arrive at the consultation prepared with a list of questions. For example, does the surgeon have certification from either the American Board of Plastic Surgeon or the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon? How many of these procedures have been done by you? Will this be a good fit for me? Where will I have my operation? Is my surgical facility accredited? What are the risks of the operation? What will my recovery look like? Can I see some before-and-after examples of people you’ve worked on similar to me?
You should have an opportunity to discuss your specific healthcare needs with your surgeon during the consultation; your surgeon should take the time to make sure that you understand your personal treatment plan based on your goals and anatomy. If you’re feeling rushed or like they’re not listening, that’s a warning sign.
What Does Subtlety Mean in the DC Aesthetic Scene?
Washington, DC, has its own unique aesthetic; the city is grounded in a foundation which places value on understated elegance. Individuals who work in government, law, and international business need to present themselves in the best light while ensuring that they do not appear to have “had work done.”
The best surgeons in the DC area respect this cultural appreciation and aim to provide natural enhancements while preserving the individuality of each patient. The intent of natural enhancement is to look your best without appearing to be someone else; augmented but recognizable (refreshed) is one way to describe this philosophy.
Patients Often Combine Procedures for More Comprehensive Results
Many patients will choose to have multiple surgeries performed in one day. The most commonly performed multiple surgeries are facelift/neck lift (total lower face rejuvenation), facelift/brow lift and eyelid surgery (total face rejuvenation), and rhinoplasty/chin augmentation (confirming a balanced facial appearance).
The main reasons for combining multiple surgeries are anesthesia costs, expedited recovery time, and decreased overall costs. Your surgeon will recommend whether multiple surgeries will be beneficial to you based on your health condition, anatomy, and desired results.
The Importance of Setting Realistic Expectations
A plastic surgeon’s most important attributes lie in their honesty about what surgery can accomplish. A good surgeon will educate their prospective patients in establishing realistic expectations before surgery by reviewing the advantages, limitations, risks, and recovery process associated with surgery.
Patients who establish realistic expectations about the results that surgery may yield have been found to report greater satisfaction from their surgical results; patients who do not establish realistic expectations will likely experience dissatisfaction and may question their decision to have surgery.
Take Time to Decide
The most important step along the road to cosmetic surgery is finding the right plastic surgeon. Your results are going to depend more on the ability, skill, and judgment of the plastic surgeon than on the specific procedures used. The best plastic surgeons in Washington will have gone through rigorous training, are board certified, have a specialty in their field, and have a desire to provide high quality, patient-centered care.
Whether you’re considering facial surgery in Washington, DC; Northern Virginia; or Richmond, VA, following the same methods —verify board certification; review credentialing; review before-and-after photos; read patient reviews of the surgeon; and business referral checks — will assist you in selecting a qualified plastic surgeon.Before making your decision, you should take time to consider and evaluate several licensed board-certified plastic surgeons. Schedule consultations with at least two or three qualified plastic surgeons, and then compare their recommendations concerning potential surgery, communication styles, and your comfort level.
