ASOPRS for an oculoplastic.... the ultimate in training? Or?

Question

I have a local ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeon locally who has been in the business for over 10 years, and did his fellowship with Dr. Allen Putterman in Chicago. Its hard tell from the ASOPRS website what benefits this brings, but it is exclusive with only 750 members worldwide. Would love to hear what other surgeons have to say about ASOPRS. Have also read Dr. Putterman is an industry leader. Is a fellowship with him impressive in itself? Many thanks!

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Putterman fellows generally are well trained and highly regarded. Having said that these are credentials. They represent qualifications but they are not a guarantee that a particular surgeon is right for you. Good people are where you find them. The credentials are helpful but also use your own judgment. Does this surgeon make sense, how am I treated by their office, is the office clean, does the surgeon’s website make sense, what are their reviews like and are they believable? Finally get multiple opinions. Hope this helps.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There are not that many oculoplastic surgeons because the need for oculoplastic surgery is not nearly as great as other medical specialties.
The fact that there aren’t very many doesn’t make them better or worse.
Likewise, being famous or having notoriety as a surgeon often has a little to do with their actual clinical skill.
Some of the most famous plastic surgeons, I know we’re not particularly good surgeons, and some of the very best surgeons I know had very little notoriety, other than in their immediate community or Through word-of-mouth only.
One of the very best face surgeons I’ve ever known did not even have a website.
What certification means somebody has gone through the training and passed an exam.
It does mean that they finished and residency and or fellowship program, but it doesn’t say anything in regards to their skill or competence.
Passing a test has left to do with taking good care of patients.
He didn’t mention what procedure you’re interested in having so the indication for having an oculoplastic surgeon is difficult to describe the period
I’m going to assume that you’re looking for eyelid cosmetic surgery.
Surgeons who do the same procedure many times over and over tend to get better at them.
Some surgeons are born naturally talented, and only get better and some surgeons are never going to be great, no matter how many years of practice they have. 
In the end, the academic background is not nearly as important as the skill and experience.
Because oculoplastic surgeons typically don’t do cosmetic surgery outside of the orbit or at least they shouldn’t. In my opinion they tend to excel at those procedures.
There are also plastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons who do exceptionally high-quality work in this area.
 to find the right provider I recommend doing the following
First get a set of standard facial pictures taken the same way plastic surgeons take before and after pictures.
Always bring pictures of yourself to use that reference during the consultation.
The surgeon is going to examine you, but you should never rely on memory to recall what you look like.
Make a list of potential providers in your community.
This may include oculoplastic surgeons and or other providers.
Next schedule in person consultations with each of the providers on the list.
The more consultations you have the more likely you are to find the better provider for your needs.
During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of it before and after pictures of previous patients who had similar facial characteristics for whatever procedure they are recommending.
This is we’re having pictures of yourself comes in handy.
 Make sure they’re showing you examples of previous patients who looked like you do.
Highly experienced surgeons should’ve access 100s of before, and after pictures to choose from it.
In the hands of the right provider, you should have access to more before and after pictures than you have time to look at during the consultation.
By seeing an impressive collection of results Should have a very good understanding of what your results are likely to look like.
You were before and after pictures they show you and especially if the patients don’t have similar characteristics to your own, then the less likely you are to know what the result is going to be.
The biggest mistake I see patients make is having only one consultation and then scheduling surgery.
Most patients are not good at choosing providers.
Most patient don’t have a lot of experience consulting with plastic surgeons.
The more consultations you have the better you’ll be at the process. 
The importance of provider selection cannot be overemphasized for permanent irreversible aesthetic procedures.
I don’t think patients can find the right provider using their computer or cell phone.
Finding the right provider requires having multiple in person consultations in my opinion.
For certification should be the bare minimum.
The specialty of the provider depends on what procedure you’re having done.
This response was dictated.
My apologies for potential grammatical errors.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

ASOPRS for an oculoplastic.... the ultimate in training? Or?

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