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What Are the Most Important Criteria when Picking a Plastic Surgeon for a Tummy Tuck?

asked 5 months ago by palmtrz
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 214 times
Tags: choosing a surgeon, consultation

I am a 41 year old whose stomach has begun to sag, from weightloss originally but it has only gotten worse after childbirth. I'm researching specialists in the area to consult about a tummy tuck and although I have quite a list of questions, I'm wondering what questions professionals recommend or what criteria other than American Board Certification in plastic surgery should I be concerned about when interviewing a surgeon for the first time?

17 answers to What Are the Most Important Criteria when Picking a Plastic Surgeon for a Tummy Tuck?

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon?

Thank you for the question. I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or The Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgeons to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.  Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to see lots of examples of their work and preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.  You will find,... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Criteria for choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Another resource would be the American Society of Plastic Surgery. ASPS ensures their members have the highest standard of training, ethics, and research in plastic surgery. They also have information on their web-site regarding questions to ask at your consultation.

George John Alexander, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Safety is number one factor

Make sure that you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who is experienced and will perform the tummy tuck in an accredited facility with good monitoring of your anesthesia. to check certification, go to abms.org. I hope this helps.

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Selecting a plastic surgeon to perform your tummy tuck

At minimum, when selecting a plastic surgeon to perform your tummy tuck, it is imperative (in your best interest) to make sure that they are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. There are many other issues to consider after that such as years in practice, reputation, results (such as photos and patients), how comfortable that you feel with them and he/she relates to you during your consultation, office staff, responsiveness, etc.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

How To Choose A Plastic Surgeon For A Tummy Tuck

Choosing a plastic surgeon for a tummy tuck is similar to choosing a surgeon for other plastic surgery procedures. First and foremost is board certification by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. I would also recommend that your surgeon participate in and complete the Maintenance of Certification program and get re-certified every 10 years. This ensures that your surgeon is doing everything he/she can to maintain their knowledge and expertise. I think you should consult with at least two... more

Douglas L. Gervais, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

What Are the Most Important Criteria when Picking a Plastic Surgeon for a Tummy Tuck?

Being board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, member of ASPS, having surgical privileges to do the same operation in a hospital. Are the primary qualifications needed. Others are more personal.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Ask for a recommendation from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for several board certified plastic surgeons in your area. Also, ask your OB-GYN and any friends who have had plastic surgery procedures. Once you have a few names, schedule consultations with two or three surgeons. Ask to see before and after photographs, where they perform the surgery, who is the anesthesiologist, will the surgeon be available for post-operative care? Make sure the center where the... more

Rondi Kathleen Walker, MD
Washington Plastic Surgeon

www.walkerplasticsurgery.com

It comes down to SAFETY and EXCELLENT RESULTS!

When choosing a Plastic Surgeon........ The main questions to ask in my opinion are about the risks and how often these things happen in their practice? How often does that surgeon do revisions of their own work? What are his/her policies regarding fees if revisions are necessary? You need to know where the surgery is going to be done? Who will be doing your anesthesia? Will there be an anesthesiologist on the premises if someone else is doing your... more

Daniel P. Markmann, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

DiscoverTheBeauty.com

Criteria for picking a plastic surgeon

Everything everyone has said is true. All things being equal and you are able to narrow it down to a few truly qualified surgeons, I would suggest picking the one who you best connect with. I think face time not only before surgery but after as well is important. Of course results speak for itself. Don't pick your surgeon based on price alone. Good luck.

Ronald Schuster, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drschuster.com

Tummy Tuck Doctor

Hello Pamltrz, You are right in looking for a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. But truthfully, that is just the baseline requisite. The surgeon should also be adept and experienced in cosmetic plastic surgery, so membership in the American Society for Aesthtic Plastic Surgery is additional requirement. Another important criteria is reputation in that given surgery, so referals from others who have had a tummy... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Criteria for Picking a Plastic Surgeon for a Tummy Tuck

The common and obvious criteria Board Certified plastic surgeon Member of ASPS, and preferably ASAPS Less obvious but also important Spends time discussing the procedure and answers your questions Office staff discuss payment and revision policies, does not "push" you to surgery Shows a range of before and after pictures, not just the best results

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Important aspects of choosing your surgeon

It goes without saying that from your surgeon you want brilliance, understanding, resourcefulness, great training, the best hands and eyes in the business, and a calming manner. But you also need him or her to have professional qualifications. No matter whom you pick, your doctor should have the proper certification and experience necessary to perform breast augmentation. You should expect your doctor to be more than just aware of, but positively fluent in, such recent and... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Criteria for choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Without question you should select a plastic surgeon that is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification is very important and distinguishes actual plastic surgeons from other doctors.

Jeffrey Hartog, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Picking a plastic surgeon

#1 criteria when looking for a plastic surgeon is to look for board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Next is to make sure the operate in an accredited facility. Next is to make sure you feel comfortable with the surgeon and their staff. And finally, talk to some of their other patients and see how they feel about their surgery. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Selecting a plastic surgeon for a tummy tuck

It's extremely important to verify that your surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Additionally, experience with the operation, the ability to spend time discussing options with you, an accredited surgical facility, caring staff members and an individualized treatment plan are all significant factors.

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

How to pick a plastic surgeon for tummy tuck.

Hi. I hope you find this article 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 tailor made for you? 4) Plastic... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Selecting Plastic Surgeon For Tummy Tuck

You already mentioned ABPS certification which is the most imnportant criteria. Ask your family doctor and friends for recommendations. Look at surgeon's web sites for before/after photos. It often comes down to the person with whom you feel most comfortable. Good luck!