Choose a Breast Augmentation Surgeon

When considering any type of breast surgery, your choice of surgeon is very important. To ensure that you receive quality care, you should select an experienced breast doctor. Board certified breast surgeons who have extensive experience will possess not only the knowledge, but also the well-honed skills, to give you the results you desire. They will also be more prepared for possible breast augmentation risks and complications from breast implants. Additionally, experienced breast implant doctors have had the chance to perfect the techniques they use during breast surgery.

What to Look for in a Breast Augmentation Surgeon

There are several guidelines to follow in order to ensure that you choose the best possible breast augmentation surgeon. Use the following criteria when selecting your surgeon:

Board Certification

When searching for breast surgeons, it is best to look for those who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). A recognized specialty board of the American Board for Medical Specialties (ABMS), ABPS requires certified breast surgeons to have earned a degree from a reputable medical school, to have completed a five-year residency, to have obtained additional surgical training specific to the plastic surgery field, and to continue to meet a standard of ethics. Also, ABPS will only certify breast implant doctors and other cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons whose practices focus primarily on plastic surgery.

Special Training

A licensed surgeon can refer to him or herself as a "plastic" or "cosmetic" surgeon even without additional training in these procedures. When reviewing breast surgeons, it is important to ensure that a potential breast augmentation surgeon has specialized training, particularly in placing breast implants. It is also recommended that you search for a breast doctor whose practice focuses on plastic surgery.

Board certification and memberships in organizations like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons will ensure a specific amount of training completed by breast surgeons. However, it is important to find a breast doctor who continues to receive training in the latest cosmetic surgery developments. Reputable breast surgeons will provide patients with a list of training/continuing education classes and seminars.

Hospital Privileges

Cosmetic surgery, including breast augmentation, can be safely performed by surgeons in a hospital, a surgical center, or in a practice-based surgical facility. It is important to note, however, that many practice-based facilities are not accredited for breast surgery.

When choosing a breast surgeon, be sure that the doctor has operating privileges at an accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare certified hospital or surgical facility. Accredited hospitals usually have a committee that reviews breast surgeons for education, training, and overall competency before granting operating privileges. By verifying that a breast augmentation surgeon has been approved by an accredited hospital to perform breast surgery, patients can be assured that the breast doctor has gone through an additional level of screening.

Testimonials and Photos

Even when board-certified breast surgeons boast special training and hospital privileges, patients should request to see the results that the breast augmentation surgeon has achieved. Breast implant doctors can be distinguished not only by the quality of their work, but also by the level of patient care they provide. Prospective patients should ask breast surgeons if they can view before-and-after photographs of actual breast surgery patients. They should also request patient testimonials to review the quality of care previous patients received. A combination of photos and testimonials should give prospective patients a better overview of the breast doctor’s standard of care.

In addition to the results and experiences of other patients of breast surgeons, referrals from third party organizations, including the American Board of Plastic Surgery, can also be useful.

Another factor that is important when evaluating breast surgeons is the patient’s own feelings. Prospective patients need to have a good rapport with their breast augmentation surgeon. Patients should discuss their goals and expectations with breast surgeons and choose a surgeon with whom they feel comfortable.

Find Breast Surgeons in Your Area through DocShop

Now that you have the tools to screen breast surgeons, use DocShop to find a qualified breast doctor in your area. Search for an experienced breast augmentation surgeon today.