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Which Do You Consider More Important, the Surgeon's Qualifications and Prestige or His/her Relationship with the Patient?

asked 6 months ago by dlandazuri
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 251 times
Tags: choosing a surgeon, comparison

There are 2 doctors with whom I'm more interested in having a BA. One is a very well known and respected surgeon. He explained to me the procedure and made his recommendation. However, I felt him a little bit cold towards me. The other one, also has a very good preparation, but without all the prestige and recognition. However I was able to ask him all the questions I wanted to know at the moment. What would you as a surgeon would advice me to look for?

18 answers to Which Do You Consider More Important, the Surgeon's Qualifications and Prestige or His/her Relationship with the Patient?

Substance over style if necessary

Hi there- There is no question that if I had to choose between two surgeons, one with a top-notch education, stellar training, and excellent experience, and one who did not have those things but had a great bedside manner, I would choose the one with the credentials. Especially in surgical specialties, it is true that we're not all warm and fuzzy... And it's also true that a surgeon doesn't have to be warm and fuzzy to be outstanding at what he/she does. On the other... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Which Do You Consider More Important, the Surgeon's Qualifications and Prestige or His/her Relationship with the Patient?

If I needed a very rare and complicated brain operation, then I wouldn’t care if the doctor had the personality of a washcloth, if he was the best…But for Breast Augmentation, which we can probably all do in our sleep!!…you should find a well trained Board Certified Surgeon that you feel very comfortable with. It is more important in this operation that you have good communication and that you like their results…

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

The best surgeon for you will be the one that gives you the result that you desire

Hello, Deciding on which plastic surgeon to use can be difficult but it should be made in a methodical fashion. I recommend that you look at both plastic surgeons before and after photos and that you also look at their web reviews. If they are both recommending the same or similar plan and are otherwise comparable in reviews and results then you will get a great result regardless of who you choose. At that point I would go with whomever you feel most comfortable with... more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

www.aaaplasticsurgery.com

Surgeon Reputation vs Relationship with Patient

I assume that you have evaluated the work of the second, less well known surgeon and found his/her work to be comparable with the first surgeon. If you have, and there should be very little difference in the outcome for you, then choose the one you can talk to and who answers all your questions. If he/she will not do this before surgery, there is little chance you will get your questions or concerns answered after surgery. The only time reputation and “qualifications” trump... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Picking a Physcian for your surgery...

When you have made the decision to have plastic surgery you want to find the best surgeon that fits your personal needs - not always the most prestigious doctor. It is always best to do some research first. The doctor that does the procedure should be a board certified plastic surgeon, with the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and I imagine both of the people you are talking about have that qualification. It is important, in my opinion, to have a surgeon... more

Shain A. Cuber, MD
Marlboro Plastic Surgeon

How to pick a plastic surgeon.

Hi. I wrote this check list about a year ago. I hope you find it helpful. 1) Is the surgeon a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery? Members usually do a lot of cosmetic surgery. 2) Did you sense a commitment to excellence in the office. Did the surgeon spend a lot of time with you? Someone who rushes through the consultation may rush through the surgery. 3) Were you treated as an individual? Did the surgeon present you with a surgical plan... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

On selecting a plastic surgeon

Of all the qualities you listed, factor out prestige because it is often manufactured by media. Qualifications like board certification in the ASPS or ASAPS indicate an important level of training and knowledge. However, in my 37 yrs.of experience the surgeon-patient relationship is also very important in obtaining a satisfactory result. The surgeon and the patient must gel to form a" theraputic unity".

Barry H. Dolich, MD
Bronx Plastic Surgeon

How to select a plastic surgeon

The first and truly important criterion is certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Obviously, if someone went to a class A medical school and trained in a top program, this says something about their intellect, skill level and those from whom he learned. I was extremely privileged in this regard and I don't think that anyone with good credentials doesn't think, during every operation, of what his chairman would have thought if he was watching. Prestige is a very subjective... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Choosing a plastic surgeon - qualifications vs personality vs RESULTS

You have described two of the most important things in choosing a plastic surgeon but have forgotten the most important one - results! The results from each doctor shown to you in many patients are key to knowing what you might get and in seeing the quality of their work. You actually should be able to find all three traits in one person but if not, I'd take qualifications and results over personality any day. But look for all three!!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

How to select a plastic surgeon

That's really a tough question because both are vital. Ideally a patient will be able to find an experienced board certified plastic surgeon who they also trust and feel comfortable with on a more personal level. I would be a little cautious with the whole "prestige" thing though. In this day and age, there are many famous doctors who got that way for a variety of reasons apart from being honest, skilled and trustworthy. Speaking to past... more

Kelly Gallego, MD
Sioux City Plastic Surgeon

Importance of surgeons qualifications vs bedside manner

It is important to go to a surgeon who is board certified and properly trained in the procedure you are seeking. However, a surgeon's prestige and notoriety is less important than the relationship you forge with your surgeon. It is important to feel comfortable with your surgeon and know that he or she will answer all your questions and be there for you, especially in the unlikely event that you have a problem. You will have a much better experience if you have good... more

Marialyn Sardo, MD
La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

Surgeon qualification vs. personality

Both are extremely important. You should be able to find "the whole package" in one provider. While you need to have your procedure performed as well as possible technically, you also need to have free and open communication around the time of your surgery, before and after. If I had to choose one as more important, it would be technical skill and qualifications. You don't want someone with dubious training or qualifications operating on you! Assuring that the surgeon is Board... more

Michele A. Shermak, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drshermak.com

Don't be wowed by prestige when picking a surgeon

While there is definitely something to be said for recognition, the most important factor is your ability to work with the surgeon and their staff throughout the experience. This assumes that your plastic surgeon is board-certified and has experience with the procedure you are considering. For breast augmentation, it is likely that the "rank and file" plastic surgeon actually has more experience than the one with the academic credentials.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Assuming equal credentials and training...

I would chose the surgeon you feel you can talk with the easiest. Remember you are really, in effect, selecting the person you will be speaking with if things DON'T go as planned. If things go well, as I hope they will, it won't matter much. If you have a problem and need a sympathetic, empathetic and caring doc you'll be happier with the one you can relate to and who can relate to you.

Robert Frank, MD
Munster Plastic Surgeon

Surgeon choice

I do not care about a doctor's prestige. it is more important that they have board certification in plastic surgery, perform good work and take good care of their patients. I never liked the "snooty, arrogant, obnoxious" doctor-type, and I swore that I would never treat my patients with that attitude.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Picking a surgeon

Both qualifications and the doctor-patient relationship are important. In my opinion, your surgery should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a member of the American Society or Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and preferably a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Also, you should select a surgeon you feel comfortable communicating with, you like their work (before and after pictures), operates in a certified surgical facility, and will take care of... more

Todd C. Case, MD
Tucson Plastic Surgeon

Choosing your Surgeon?

Thanks for the question. When choosing your plastic surgeon I would suggest that you start with checking the surgeons training, credentials and experience level. Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a good starting point. You want to make sure that the surgeon has had significant experience helping patients achieve the results you are looking for. You can verify this by checking their before and after pictures and (better yet) communicating... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Choosing a surgeon for breast implants

Provided that both surgeons are qualified board-certified plastic surgeons and experienced with breast augmentation, then I would go with the surgeon who you felt most comfortable with, who listened to you and understands the result that you want. Qualifications and skill are important but prestige is not necessary. There are many highly-qualified and skilled plastic surgeons who stay out of the limelight who take great care of their patients and get great results. The plastic... more