Top Doctors List - Does It Really Matter?

Depends on the source.  These lists are highly variable in their quality and accuracy.  Some are paid advertisements while others are peer-recommendations.  Find an ASAPS or ASPS member, interview them, review their before and after pictures, and do your research.  Take your time.  Don't make a selection based solely on price.  And always have your surgery in an accredited facility with an MD anesthesiologist or CRNA in attendance.

I agree.  It is of utmost importance that you are seen by a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Once that is established, it is important that you find a doctor that you feel comfortable with.  Talk to some of their patients to see if they were happy with their results.  

The single most important thing to look for when searching for a doctor to perform a breast augmentation is that he is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Some "top doctors" lists are good, others are not. It is difficult to know how some lists are made. From El Paso.

In reality, you will find many different responses on this topic depending on whether or not the individual physician has been named in a Top Doc list.  In my town, there is a particular list that is compiled every year that, unfortunately, is an absolute joke.  There have been ophthalmologists in the Plastic Surgeon category, etc.  Now that issue has been fixed but the doctors who are named are named because they are on specific hospital staff and not specifically for their credentials. 

When looking for a good doctor in any field, look at several criteria:


Are they Board Certified?  If so, in what field?

How long have they been performing the procedure you are interested in? 

How many of these procedures do they perform per year?

Are you able to speak with past clients who have had this procedure?

Do you like their before/after photos?

How do they keep up on current trends within their field?

Are they considered a trainer?  If so, why?  (e.g.:  national speaker/consultant/trainer)


But, most importanly, what does your gut tell you?  The absolutely last thing that should dictate who you go to is the price. This is not the most important thing.  Keep in mind that it costs far more to fix a bad result than to achieve a good result in the first place.  Also, keep in mind that many of these "Top Doc" ratings are actually no more than a commercial and that they can actually be purchased.

I hope this helps!

At least in Houston,  we have a number of lists that contain well-qualified surgeons and also some less experienced individuals. 

I lost faith in those, however,  when they placed a Dermatologist under the "Top Plastic and Reconstructive Doctors" list !