The doctor who will spearhead the procedure is the surgeon. So, it is important that you choose the best surgeon available. The best way to select a great surgeon is by doing some research on your own.
1. If you are willing to share the information that you are considering a tummy tuck, then ask for referrals from friends or family members who may have undergone a tummy tuck, since they can lead you to the right doctors, or, at the very least, steer you away from the wrong ones!
2. Ask your primary care physician or any other medical personnel you are comfortable with for a referral since they may have more complete information regarding their medical colleagues. If you have underlying medical issues such as a hernia, ask the physician who is taking care of you for this, perhaps your primary care doctor, for a recommendation.
3. Do not rush to choose a doctor; you do want a successful surgery, so don’t get lured by media and print ads since the best and highly acclaimed surgeons don’t need to advertise much because their reputation is intact, usually from word-of-mouth and satisfied patients, and they are mostly overbooked, and may not be too interested in taking on too many new clients.
4. Choose a surgeon who is highly trained and experienced in performing a tummy tuck. He or she must be board-certified in this type of specialty. Verify his educational background, including his undergraduate degree, graduate degree, his medical college, residency programs, fellowships, and other relevant information that will give you an idea of his training. Ask for any accolades, awards, or proof of peer recognition. Verify his memberships in various organizations that focus on plastic surgery. Also obtain and read any articles or publications that he may have authored. You can never over-research when your life depends on the knowledge and expertise of just one person.
5. Be wary of surgeons who tell you that your surgery is guaranteed with a 100% rate of success, as this is a false reassurance. Even though tummy tucks for the most part have a positive outcome, no surgery can be guaranteed upfront at a 100% success rate. A good surgeon will be honest and will inform you of the associated risks and complications, but will provide you with different solutions to reduce these concerns.
6. A surgeon who is confident of his practice and is experienced should have no problem showing you hundreds of before-and-after photos of the procedures that he has successfully completed. But do not rely on your surgeon alone. Ask if it is okay to speak with former patients. Of course doctors maintain patient confidentiality and can only give you a patient’s number with that patient’s permission. If you are lucky enough to speak to a patient, you can further verify some of the pictures you were shown. If the surgeon is unable to provide you with any contact information about his patients, then just ask more in-depth questions about the pictures that will show that the surgeon actually sees the patients as people and not just as ways to make money.
7. Ask the surgeon questions such as, “Did she have a baby before the surgery?” or “How much weight did she lose?” and observe the doctor’s response to see how much he really knows about his patients. Do not be alarmed if he does not remember details, since that might mean that he has done many tummy tucks, which is essentially a good sign.
8, A good surgeon should take photographs of your abdomen and evaluate them in order to get the desired results with a realistic approach. He should also inform you where the surgery would take place and how long it would last. He must be able to provide precise answers to any concerns or questions that you might have. He will be open to your questions and comments and should also be able to provide exact details of the procedure.
9. Beware of a surgeon who cajoles you to sign up immediately, as he is probably more interested in your money than your safety. A good surgeon will never rush you into making a major decision on the first day of consultation, or at any stage either
10. Use trusted online site such as professional associations for surgeons for research.
Now that you know how to choose the best surgeon possible, you should begin setting up appointments for consultations, since the best surgeons are usually booked up far in advance.
Remember that apart from doing your homework, the best way to really pick the right surgeon for you is to listen to yourself. Do not ignore any hunch or nagging, ill-feeling that you might have. If possible, take someone whose opinion you value very much to your first appointment. It is extremely important that you establish a good rapport with your surgeon during your acquaintance because a good communication is a strong key component to a successful surgery.
