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How Much Weight Should I Give to Doctors Recommendations of Other Doctors?

asked 2 years ago by Mr.solutions in Vancouver
Latest answer by Richard W. Fleming, MD
Question viewed 394 times
Tags: nose, doctor referral

I am getting a nose revision. The first procedure I did no research. This procedure I am doing all research I can possibly do. Including asking my uroligist, my Family doctor, and my dermatologist what they think. 2 of them claim one surgeon to be the best nose Doctor in BC. Should (added to my own research: before and after pics, and my own research of the surgeons) take my doctors opinions into consideration? Or is it a popularity contest among them?

16 answers to How Much Weight Should I Give to Doctors Recommendations of Other Doctors?

Your reputation is on the line when you give a recommendation

I don't think anyone would argue that the more research you do, the better your final decision will likely turn out. Ask friends, family, health care workers, those in other image industries (salon and spa owners, cosmetic dentists, etc all see good and bad results and talk), professional boards while considering who to consult. Trust your gut during the consult so that you connect with the physician. Create a mental contract together that addresses your specific concern. That is all a... more

Kevin Robertson, MD
Madison Facial Plastic Surgeon

Quality versus popularity in rhinoplasty surgeons

Take your doctors' opinions into consideration, but it should only be given so much weight. While not strictly a popularity contest, sometimes the name your other doctors will give you is simply the name they've heard of, or whose advertisements they've seen most widely, or who's been around the area the longest. Doctors are frequently called on by patients to recommend other docs and they want to seem like they're in-the-know about their colleagues. Many times, though, they no very little... more

David C. Pearson, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Physician Recommendations

Physician recommendations are one critetia that should be considered when selecting your surgeon. This will be the most difficult decision you will make. In addition, pay attention to your surgeon's experience, his/her position on a local medical school faculty, and his/her results with noses similar to yours. Get multiple consultations and contnue to do your homework.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Secondary nose surgery

Re-do nose surgery are challenging and difficult. There are a few Plastic Surgeons who show a special interest in secondary nose surgery.They are well known to us doing nose surgery. We refer patients to them with difficult problems. Usually you have to travel to them and price may be a factor. Your previous surgeon should have no problems to send you to one of the mentioned surgeons if you and he/her feel it is appropriate. If not, feel free to contact me for names.

Guido P. Gutter MD
Evansville Plastic Surgeon

What to look for in rhinoplasty revision surgeon

It is always best to do your own research as well as considering other doctors referrals. Look for board certification in plastic surgery, training in astic surgery, before and afters of rhinoplasty revisions from different angles, look for several set of pictures, talk to a few of the surgeon's patients (you can ask the plastic surgeon's office), look for article written by your potential patients, consult with him/ her and see if you like his/ her aproach, office staff, etc. Good luck.... more

Siamak Agha, MD, PhD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Maybe a nose is different

Mostly I would say that these other doctors opinions would be valuable. However, revision rhinoplasty is a vey specialized field and they might not really know what consititute the best results. I'd call several local ENT and plastic surgeons and ask who is considered to be the best revision doctor in your area.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Other doctors recommendations should carry a lot of weight

The local doctors in your community should know who the best Plastic surgeons are. To take it a step further you should find out who the doctors in your community go to when they want cosmetic surgery done on themselves and their family members. That is a sure fire way to know that the Plastic Surgeon that they recommend has a great reputation for doing high quality work. Be cautious about responding to ads, gimmicks and Google positions because these are all paid for positions and not... more

Jason B. Diamond, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Physician's Opinions Carry Weight, Especially That of a Dermatologist

Making a decision on who to see is predicated on many factors. The basics include Board Certification in Facial Plastic Surgery or Plastic Surgery and the personality/ presentation of the Surgeon. However, equally important is the type of work a Surgeon has done in his/her community and the recognition of other Physicians for the work that he/she does. A very good sign is the recommendation of a Dermatologist. Dermatologists frequently refer to Facial Plastic Surgeons and Plastic... more

Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

Other Doctors' Recommendations are important - But do NOT stop there

Plastic surgery is a super-specialty (most of its members have already trained and certified in another surgical specialty) and Nose Revision surgery is becoming a sub-specialization in that specialty. Plastic Surgery is BARELY taught in Medical School and the vast majority of non-surgical physicians, regardless of how well-meaning they may be, have little understanding of the subtleties of what we do (ask them to tell you the difference between a graft and a flap, for example). They... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

How to Properly Select a Plastic Surgeon

Hi there- Often, physicians in a community will know who has a good reputation in the medical community and among patients (especially your gynecologist). For the very best advice on how to choose a surgeon though, I suggest you read this:

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Hold Dermatologist Opinion the Highest

In my opinion, the dermatologist in your local community is the best guide in sorting out this problem for you. Not the only guide for sure, but the best guide. I am not saying this because I am a dermatologist, but because our specialty is the one that most frequently interacts with plastic surgeons for the issues which might mean something to you. I am often amazed how closely the opinions of the dermatologists are so closely aligned when we discuss the plastic surgeons in our... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Virginia Beach Dermatologist

Collect opinions from several sources to decide who the best plastic surgeon is.

Do your homework and ask as many people as you trust, including doctors and friends. Visit with each plastic surgeon and review before and after results of a revision rhinoplasty. These tend to be more difficult and one has to make sure the goals are attainable. Best of luck.

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

How to pick a plastic surgeon.

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 surgeons have to have a good eye and meticulous technique.... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Weighing doctor's recommendations of other doctors

The simple answer is to ask the recommending doctor what that recommendation is based on. Did the doctor operate on one of their family members? Is the recommendation based on professional courtesy or actual results? Does the surgeon do mostly primary rhinoplasties, complicated secondary ones or a combination of the two?

Aaron Stone, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Best recommendations

First of all, there is no such thing as best. Even the so-called best have complications and may not have an ideal relationship and communication with a particular patient. However, most good doctors refer to other good doctors. I usually suggest asking your gynecologist as well. All women who have had surgery will eventually see their gynecologist.

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

Friends help friends

Frequently doctors refer patients to each other only because they are friends through college or medical school or socially. Nurses are another bad source for referrals saying someone is a good surgeon because the doctor is nice to them and they do not even know if the surgery was done well. One of the best sources is other patients who had a good result and a good experience. A family doctor is sometimes a very good source since if a surgeon had good... more

Walter D. Gracia, MD
Arlington Plastic Surgeon

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