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Your Shopping Guide for Selecting a Cosmetic Surgeon

Cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure so likely there are no insurance companies telling you which procedures you can and cannot do and what doctors are not in your network. You call the shots. That is the good news. The not so good news is that you need to choose the right cosmetic surgeon to suit your needs and to do that you need to get several opinions first.

First of all, what procedure are you having done? You want to choose a surgeon that specializes in what you have planned not someone who is a "one size fits all" kind of doctor. For instance, if you plan to get liposuction, you don't need to bother with a cosmetic surgeon whose specialty is facelifts. Do a bit of reconnaissance first to create a list of two to four cosmetic surgeons who could potentially do the surgery you want. Once you have that list whittled down, it's time to ask the questions. Here is a rundown on some of the things you should find out:

1. What is the best procedure that will cover my needs? There is often more than one way to accomplish something so let the cosmetic surgeon show off a bit. Be sure to write down the details from the different surgeons you meet to compare notes and choose the best option for you.

2. What experience does the surgeon have on your type of procedure? This is the time to find out where the doctor was educated as well as the internships and other training that makes them qualified to operate on you. You want to choose a surgeon that has performed your procedure countless times and is up on the latest tool of the trade and surgical techniques.

3. What will your cosmetic surgery turn out like? A good doctor will have the computer technology to offer a before and possible after picture of what the surgery has the potential to look like.

4. What are the risks of my procedure? A doctor will be realistic as to your recovery and healing times. They should lay out the risks and what you should expect based on your medical history. The answer may not be what you want to hear but preparation is key to gearing yourself up and keeping expectations reasonable.

5. What is the recovery time? Because each cosmetic surgeon is different, they may perform different procedures to achieve the same result and therefore it is reasonable to expect different recovery times. When you get your answer, be realistic with yourself. Will you feel well enough to go back to work within a day or two or is taking your vacation time to have surgery more in line with what to expect?

6. What are the expected costs for the cosmetic procedure? This is an anticipated question. Don't expect your health insurance to pay for an elective procedure; instead you will have to pay for it yourself. Talk with them about payment plans and deposits. Ask whether your payments also cover post-operative care and follow-up visits to the surgeon.