Is 400 BA surgeries enough to be trustworthy?

Question

I recently spoke with a surgeon who'd stated he'd done approximately 400 breast implant surgeries...is this a significant amount of surgeries and enough to be trustworthy? It sounded like a small number to me, but I'm not part of the plastics world and may not be judging this correctly. Thanks!

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

James D. Frost, MD · Answer

The number of surgeries alone does not speak to competence or "trustworthiness" but 400 breast augmentations is certainly enough to give lots of experience.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thanks for this question. I guess it’s all in how many you deem “enough.” To put it in perspective, not every plastic surgeon does every procedure every day. Most surgeons operate 2-4 days a week and let’s just assume an average surgeon will do one breast augmentation a week within a practice that has variety (face, breast, body, etc.). At one per week, that means that surgeon has been doing this for 8 years and that’s pretty damn good. But the more important question might be was that surgeon board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and did you feel comfortable with him and the consultation and the surgical plan. You can have a fantastic result from a surgeon who has done 40 and a terrible result from someone who has done 4000, there are no assurances. Best of luck!

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

400 breast augmentations is no small number. That would be one a week for ten years. It is smart of you to do your homework and it's a valid question. With 400 cases under his belt he's probably figured things out. I am assuming your case is pretty straightforward.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It is impossible to give you good answer without seeing series of results of particular surgeon. However, considering that an average plastic surgeon performs between 15-25 breast augmentation surgeries a year, that can be considered significant experience. Good luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Rational250564,
finding the right Dr. is extremely challenging especially with the number of online platforms and resources available. There a lot of great Dr's available. Make sure he/she is a board-certified plastic surgeon. Definitely check to make sure your choice specializes in the procedure you want and spend the time to read through patient testimonials. There is a number of different sites where you can check for reviews (Realself, yelp, google, etc.).You can always pick up the phone and call around also, find an office you feel comfortable with and set up a few consultations. 
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Doing 400 procedures is enough to be familiar with most situations and differences in anatomy to be able to do good surgery. Do ask to see photos so you can see his work.

Aleksandr Shteynberg, MD · Answer

400 surgeries is a good number to obtain expertise in a specific surgery. However, the number of surgeries, academic titles, ivy league names and a variety of other ways to impress patients do not necessarily convert into trustworthiness. 
Nurses and some other surgical staff who work with a surgeon directly would probably be the best judges. Asking office staff if a doctor is good, while in the office, is probably not helpful. 
The next best way to know would be to read surgeon's reviews and analyze theirs before and after pictures. Only perfect results and reviews are red flags for fake reviews. Very good and very bad reviews are red flags as well for fake good reviews. Good consistent results and reviews are likely true. if there are bad reviews, read those, those may have nothing to do with the surgeon's skills. Feeling overall comfortable with your surgeon is probably important as well. 
Best.
A. Shteynberg, M.D., F.A.C.S.Diplomate, American Board of Plastic SurgeryNew York, NY.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The reason for the question is understandable, but there are other questions that must also be answered.  Is your surgeon board certified? Do you feel comfortable and confident with the surgeon and surgical plan? If there are questions or issues after surgery would you feel comfortable discussing them with your surgeon? Have you seen before/after photos of her/his work and were you pleased with the results? When selecting your surgeon you want to be sure to be confident in your selection from all of these angles.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

It’s not really how many cases your board certified plastic surgeon has performed, it’s how well he or she performs them.  400 is a decent number.
Look at before and after photos 
Go for a few consultations.  
Good luck. 
Dr T

Is 400 BA surgeries enough to be trustworthy?

Answers (11)

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