Choosing Your Surgeon
April 13th, 2009
Melissa, like all patients, must be comfortable with their physician. Melissa has apparently found this comfort level with me and she has made a connection based on trust. This is only the first step in this process to select a surgeon.
Like evaluating any sculptor it is important to see a broad range of the artist’s work. Consider reviewing cosmetic surgery before and after photos to see particular results. Most plastic surgeons keep these photos on hand for patients to review. They are a useful tool in evaluating results and serve as an important indicator for a surgeon’s personal aesthetic style. It is fair to say that there is, to some degree, variation in both of these attributes among surgeons. Just like walking into a hair salon, depending on who cuts your hair, ultimately determines the style and precision of your haircut.
This week, we completed surgery on two patients who were scheduled for surgery at other offices before they visited with me. They had arranged consultations and scheduled surgery at the other office without telling their friends. After scheduling surgery, they were excited to share the news with their friends. In both instances their friends insisted they come to my office for another consultation. The rest is history. So even though you may have already chosen a surgeon, try to discuss this decision with friends and family. You might be surprised. They may have information that could prove helpful in evaluating your choice. They themselves may have had surgery without your knowledge and their insights might be valuable.
Another fact to consider is experience of the surgeon. It is amazing how surgical design and technique change throughout one’s career. There are increases in efficiency and improvements in consistency of results as a surgeon gains experience.
Finally, patients considering cosmetic surgery might be wise to discuss recommendations with their Internist or OB-GYN, because they have the opportunity to see results from many surgeons. They examine women all day every day and most likely know which surgeons give the most consistent results.
Melissa’s Blog: Why I Picked Dr. Bashioum
April 10th, 2009
Research a doctor? As I mentioned earlier, that along with my dream home, came a plastic surgeon in my neighborhood. Everyone peppers him with questions about plastic surgery, so I’m not alone! I must have left out that he also happens to be a prominent, Board Certified plastic surgeon, studying his specialty for over 15 years. First of all, to become board certified, a physician must demonstrate exceptional expertise in a particular medical specialty. Dr. Bashioum not only has expertise in plastic surgery, but he specializes in elective cosmetic surgery- nipntucks.
And so that is where my research ended. I feel so honored and yet so lucky, lucky that I was dealt this hand. I had two friends undergo breast augmentation this past month and fortunately I got to hear a little bit about the experience, starting with the list of doctors they were going to meet. I had one girlfriend who met with five doctors and she chose one of the five. And I had another girlfriend decide to go with the first doctor she met. So everyone goes about things differently. It comes down to qualifications and comfort level with the surgeon for me.
I chose to go with Dr. Bashioum because I feel most comfortable with him holding the scalpel. Being neighbors, I’ve had many opportunities to approach him about questions related to my breast augmentation. (Sorry about the time that you were really sick. But it was my day to get educated on saline vs. silicone.) Even with a scratchy sore throat and feverish chills, he still gave me solid and unbiased points about the two options. So yes, I like the fact I have a bit of a connection with my doctor, more so than with others. At the end of the night, I think about my chest and wanting nothing more than a flawless performance. For this I turn to a board certified surgeon. The question that remains now is saline or silicone?
Check back to see what I decide.
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