After Two Consultations, I Like Both Surgeons, How do I Decide?

What do you find the most important? In these situations, you should consider what's most important to you and see which surgeon is better at that. For example, rapport is an important factor to consider for many patients, so they choose the surgeon they get along with better.  

How do I pick the best Plastic Surgeon is what you are asking. Here is my advice:


Verify Board Certification by American Board of Plastic Surgery (do this online)

Member of American Society of Plastic Surgery (requirements beyond Board Certification)

Member of American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (indicates extensive experience in aesthetic surgery - see below link)

Look at online review sites - like RealSelf, Health Grades,RateMDs, Google, etc

Look at Before and After photos

What is my instinct or "gut reaction" as to who I relate to better, answers my questions more fully and who I basically trust the most.

Finally ask yourself - if I was to have a complication, who would be the best to take care of me.


Larry Nichter, MD, FACS

Hi there-

Plastic Surgery, more than most other medical specialties, will produce outcomes and experiences that are dependent on intangibles unrelated to the physician's credentials.

On other words, I'm glad that you have found two surgeons with excellent qualifications. This is a great place to start from. 

Making the decision from here should be based on the quality of the relationships you will enjoy (or not) with the surgeon and the staff in the practice. Remember that over the next few months and for up to a year, you will be interacting a great deal with these people and that your safety and happiness will be in the balance. As much as most surgeons would like to believe that their qualities as a surgeon are all that should matter, it is simply not the case. The experience is as important as the outcome...

Which brings me to my second point- the OUTCOMES your surgeon is able to demonstrate should be very important in your decision making. In plastic surgery, this is, in fact, our work product, right? You would never buy a painting from an artist without seeing lots of examples of his artwork... If you were hiring an architect, you would want to see lots of examples of other beautiful buildings he had designed, right? This is no different- beyond his education, training, and experience, the only way to know that your surgeon has the SKILL and TALENT (things that are different to gauge otherwise) to make you happy is to see many (not one or two) examples of lovely, natural outcomes produced by him.

Once you've considered the above, the right choice should present itself to you. If after these matters are taken into consideration you are still uncertain, I would take this to mean that you are probably equally likely to be safe and happy in either of their hands!