Always confirm doctor is a board certified plastic surgeon

Although this surgery falls well within one of the worst experiences of my entire life, there's a few [many if I'm honest] things I learned about doctor vetting that I'd love to share: The Silver Lining Lessons.

1. ALWAYS confirm the doctor is a Board Certified PLASTIC SURGEON. If you get passed along to another doctor in a practice, do your research on that new doctor all over again.


2. Do they have any accreditations? Which ones? Look in to the requirements necessary to obtain that accreditation. Use the data to draw your own conclusion.


3. Research all the doctors that work for the practice. Learn of other practices that might be affiliated with or owned by theirs. Use the data to draw your own conclusion.


4. Take a deeper look into the credentials of those leaving reviews. Are there before & after photos? Where do they live (i.e numerous out of state reviews)? Possible friend or family member (i.e numerous reviews from people w/same last name or from same state outside the one your doctor is located in)? 


Does a flood of a good reviews come in after a bad one? Are they an active participant on the review site? Inactive since dropping that review? Only left one review? Does the doctor or practice offer incentives for reviews? 


On a site that could rhyme with "Welp!", be sure to thoroughly read the "not currently recommended" reviews. Had I previously known about this feature, a lot would be different today. 


Look for a pattern. It could mean something and -- it could mean nothing. Use the data to draw your own conclusion regarding the honesty of those reviews. 


Also, if allowed and within website guidelines, don't be afraid to message those who left a review with questions and update requests. Some people are more than happy to share further details of their experience with you :)


5. Ask your doctor questions. All of them. Ask to see a before and after portfolio. Ask the questions you feel uncomfortable asking. You have the right to an answer. If you don't feel comfortable asking those questions, that doctor may not be right for you. Use the data to draw your own conclusion.


6. Even if your experience is going great, always document everything; times, dates, names, appointments, calls, emails, etc. All these details may be helpful down-the-line. You may find yourself feeling very thankful you did. Safety precautions are a good thing. 


7. If promises outside the contract are made verbally, get them in writing! Don't be afraid to ask for a verbal agreement outside the contract terms in writing if you have to. I repeat -- GET IT IN WRITING. This applies not only to the doctor, but to the staff also. 


8. Stand your ground. Trust your instincts.


9. If you feel bullied or intimidated, don't feel forced to stay silent out of fear. That's not normal of any positive experience. That's more reason to speak up. 


10. I remember the shock value of RealSelf users not only in response to my lack of results and doctor credentials [which also came as a shock to me], but in response to the procedure being preformed under local anesthesia. I believe my unfortunate experience has taught me how to properly vet future doctors moving forward. 


Using my experience and RealSelf tips, I was successful at finding a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for my breast augmentation. It was performed under -- you guessed it -- twilight sedation! It was so easy and pain-free. I wish more doctors offered the option! 


I was initially terrified and hesitant with visions of my previous experience replaying in my head. But, Dr. Buckspan, who performed the breast aug, did a fantastic job explaining the process and expectations with data. His spoke with confidence and used data to help with my anxiety. 


If you're scared of general anesthesia like myself, there are legitimate Board Certified Plastic Surgeons who offer the option.


I was thrilled to share my procedure details with RealSelf. You can read it using the link below.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.realself.com/news/twilight-sedation-anesthesia/amp

LADIES! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE. I received private messages about Dr. Broder, but no one shares their experience like I have. Perhaps if we had spoken out, this poor girl could've been saved. Realself, take this doctor off!!
http://kxan.com/investigative-story/prolonged-investigations-of-doctors-in-texas-leave-patients-in-the-dark/

Please, don't be fooled by the response from "Dr. Broder" or Beleza Medspa to my review. Dr. Broder had no issue reaching out to me via Realself private message and my personal e-mail to inform me that documenting the above truths could hurt his business due to the competition. I never mentioned it in fear of some sort of retaliation; not keeping to his word because I shared my true experience.
I feel as though what I've documented took part in why he was unwilling to fix his "mistakes".
I also reached out to his office and wrote him an email before that reply was left by his office or him, and he failed to respond.