What to Do when a Surgeon Has Good Reviews and Bad Reviews?

Comments can tell you a lot more than "ratings" or "stars"

Online reviews are a fact of life today, and they can be helpful in learning about a surgeon. I'd recommend skimming through reviews for comments that give insights into how a surgeon might be a fit for you. Look for themes about their helpfulness durning consultation, the overall experience, their bedside manner, etc.

 

Bad reviews

No surgeon wants to see negative or bad reviews of themselves, and certainly if there are a large number of bad reviews, it could be cause for concern. Recognize also that in some circumstances fake reviews (both positive and negative) could be posted. I recommend reading reviews for what seem to be actual experiences that are consistent themes across many reviews (and even different review websites) as your best guide.

 

Going beyond reviews

While reviews can be helpful, they are far from perfect. I recommend emailing and calling a surgeon's office and see what impressions you get from talking with the staff. Ask questions. And ultimately book a consultation and visit with a surgeon in person.

 

Hope this helps

Nick Slenkovich MD, FACS

 

 

 

Online reviews must always be taken with a grain of salt.  The good ones are often solicited or faked.  An occaisional bad review is not unusual.  Every surgeon has the an unhappy patient now and then, and these patients can be especially vocal in venting their anger online.  What would concern me is if there is a surgeon who either has a lot of complaints, or complaints that are very specific or seem to be a recurring theme among the different patients.  

Very good question, thank you.In my practice, most patients are referred by other patients.  I think this is the best source of referrals.  I would use the following to help choose a plastic surgeon.Visit web sites for several plastic surgeons in your area.  There you will be able to check credentials of the surgeon, board certification and society memberships.  Check also the credentials of the anesthesia provider and the accreditation status of the facility where you will having your procedure.While on the web site look at before and after pictures to make sure there is good representation of the procedure you are interested in having. Make sure the results are appealing to you.Call for and have a consultation and see if you get a good feeling from the staff beginning with the first phone call.  Make sure you are comfortable with the doctor as well. I sincerely believe there are not a lot of board certified plastic surgeons who will be really friendly during the consult because he wants your money then will mess up your breasts and pretend you don't exist.  That may happen on TV but I don't know of any plastic surgeons in part part of the country who behave that way.  Again, a good issue to clear up with a word of mouth referral.Lastly, look at reviews.  The best plastic surgeon will be unable to please everyone and nearly all plastic surgeons will have some bad reviews.  Be wary of the plastic surgeon with no bad reviews. It is general accepted that disgruntled patient may be more likely to post a bad review than a happy patient is to post a good review so weigh the information from the Internet appropriately.Best of luck 

When choosing your plastic surgeon, I believe that you should:

1. Review their credentials - is he/she board certified, do the proposed procedure regularly and have any adverse actions by the medical board?

2. In the consultation, make sure you see the physician. Is he/she thorough and take a history and perform an exam? Are various options discussed?

3. Do you know patients that have been operated on by that surgeon? Word of mouth is the best reference.

4. How does the office feel? Do you feel comfortable with the staff and doctor?

5. Finally, look at online reviews. Use them as a piece of the puzzle, not the definitive decision maker!

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

 

 

I fully agree with the other surgeons answering this question concerning credentials, experience, outcomes and other patient referrals.  All other things being equal, I would also recommend a surgeon with whom you can easily communicate, as well as tell you how he or she would handle any problems that may occur in the early or late post-op. periods.