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Is It Appropriate to Ask One Plastic Surgeon About Another?

asked 9 months ago by BellaBog74 in Alexandria, VA
Latest answer by Robert L. Kraft, MD
Question viewed 191 times
Tags: choosing a surgeon, insurance

I have HMO insurance, and was convinced that the HMO wouldn't cover my breast reduction surgery. So I went out and started interviewing other doctors. Found one that I really like, and was ready to go. Then, low and behold, Kaiser said they would cover the surgery. Saving $10K sounds great, but I can't find out anything much about the HMO doctor, and that makes me nervous. Would it be inappropriate to go back to the private guy (long-time, well-established locally) and ask him?

14 answers to Is It Appropriate to Ask One Plastic Surgeon About Another?

Asking one plastic surgeon about another

That's a delicate question. You never know. The private MD may have worked with the HMO doctor and might be comfortable reporting their joint affiliations. It's great that Kaiser has agreed to pay for your surgery However, I would suggest that you call Kaiser and say that, before making a decision, you'd like the names of two other physicians who participate in the HMO. I would be surprised if an HMO as large as Kaiser has only one plastic surgeon. See more than one who participates in... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Surgeon selection

Have you seen the HMO surgeon? If not then do so first. See what he/she has to say. Ask how many breast reductions they have done and request to see photos of the results. You might even be able to talk to one of their patients. Be sure to find out if they are board certified. Kaiser surgeons in general do a lot of breast reductions in my area and thus have a lot of experience. Once you have seen this other surgeon decide if... more

Lori H. Saltz, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

Surgeon selection

I believe you should interview with several surgeons prior to your procedure. This will give you the comparison you need to make a decision; no matter what the cost is or is not. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Doctor's opinion of other doctors

Yes, that is very appropriate. Hopefully the private doctor is as honorable and honest as you believe. However, i would think that a positive would be helpful but a negative one could be biased. Robin T.W. Yuan, M.D.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Asking one plastic surgeon about another.

My practice understands the economics of insurance based surgical care for the patient. I understand that it might be necessary for the patient to explore those options through insurance if I did not participate within their plan. If asked about another surgeon, though, my staff or I would educate the patient as to qualifications and board certification, and the questions to ask another surgeon regarding the procedure. This helpful disposition may benefit our practice when... more

Eric A. Marchant, MD
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon

Getting second opinion is different than asking surgeon to comment about other s

If you are comfortable with the plastic surgeon in your insurance plan,then there is no need to ask the other surgeon to give you an opinion about other surgeon. I would recommend to get patient referral, review before and after picture and make sure your surgeon is board certified.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD
New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Definitely worth asking

If you trust and respect the surgeon you have met with – it’s always worth asking. As physicians, we encourage patients to be advocates for themselves. That being said, he may not share his personal opinion of another doctor. We have colleagues we know and think highly of and would certainly share that information. I would recommend meeting with the HMO doctor and having a consultation. Always check board certification as well. Good luck, Dr. Davis more

Glenn M. Davis, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

Choosing a surgeon

Asking one surgeon to comment about another is tricky business! The surgeon with your HMO may be an excellent surgeon who prefers the security of known income. Saving ten thousand dollars to get an inferior result is not a good decision. But you may disover that you can enjoy the saving and obtain a very good result as well. It may be worthwhile to at least meet the HMO surgeon. Either way, I hope that you have a first rate surgical experience and result!

Ann F. Reilley, MD
Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon

Second opinion, comparing one doctor to another

We think it is appropriate to obtain second opinions, and discuss one view versus another. On this site, and doctors in general are quite used to this, and often gain insights and indeed learn from one another. You should discuss what you have learned from one doctor with another. To be polite you can keep names out, but discuss what has been recommended with the HMO doctor if views diverge. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Is It Appropriate to Ask One Plastic Surgeon About Another?

It never hurts to ask, but as for receiving an answer very hard to predict. If I knew the doctor than I might comment in very general terms.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction surgeon selection

Thank you for the question. I am glad that you're being very careful in your selection of plastic surgeon In realizing that the costs of surgery should be a secondary concern after the quality of the results. I do not think it will do any harm to ask one plastic surgeon's opinion about another surgeon's work. Hopefully you will receive honest and unbiased feedback (as much as possible). Ultimately, you will have to use your own judgment after... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Asking one plastic surgeon about another...

I would say that you have to trust your gut instinct on this one. If you have a good relationship with the plastic surgeon, he or she might give you trustworthy advice... but remember, there is a certain amount of competition between all businesses. Many surgeons are very hesitant to say anything negative about colleagues, and others are too quick to offer bad reviews. Like everything in life, it all comes down to the individual people involved. ... more

Michelle Spring, MD
Marina Del Rey Plastic Surgeon

It is your health and body

As physicians, we should never discourage and in fact should support our patients being advocates for themselves. You should always be free to ask the questions you find pertinent about your health, surgery, and surgeon. That being said, most of us who have colleagues we respect will quickly assert that opinion. If we are unsure or have mild reservations about a colleague we may not be so vocal as those impressions may not be fully substantiated. If a surgeon is... more

Vishnu Rumalla, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

tarrantplasticsurgery.com

Your relationship with your doctor may be the most important thing.

Plastic Surgeons have all been well trained and have met very demanding standards before they become board certified. That said anyone can get complications or problems after a big operation like a reduction mamoplasty. Having confidence and trust can make it much easier to deal with those problems with the minimum distress. Meet with the HMO surgeon. See if you can work with him. Ask whatever questions you need to to feel comfortable. It is your money and your body. You need to do what you... more