In just the past decade alone, plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures have grown exponentially. The industry is continuously advancing with new techniques and innovative tools. One problem, however remains stubbornly intact. With such a vast wealth of information floating around, it's no wonder people often hear "facts" that are anything but accurate.
MYTH #3: To find a good plastic surgeon, all you have to do is open the phone book and call the one that's closest to you.
WRONG! If only life were that simple, right? Not only do you need a competent surgeon, but you also need a surgeon whose practice fits your surgical needs.
Look for the following credentials:
- A degree from a reputable medical school
- Residency with the AGCME (Accreditation Council for Grauate Medical Education)
- Both a physician's and surgeon's license
- Board certification
- Fellowship within his specialty
- Qualifications within the fellowship in the American College of Surgeons
- Teaching experience at a medical school
- Practices cosmetic surgery only
- Staff membership in a hospital
- Bonus credential: military surgical experience
Look for a superspecialist with 10 to 20 years of experience. You can verify a potential doctor's credintials via the ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties).
REMEMBER: The ABMS does not recognize The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery as a professional organization, therefore it is not an acceptable accreditation.
MYTH #2: People should get liposuction to lose weight.
Wrong again! This is a very common, and very misleading statement. A good candidate for liposuction is someone who is already at his or her ideal weight. In addition, his or her weight must be stable. Liposuction is a countouring procedure. it is intended to refine the shape you already have. If you were to gain weight following liposuction, you could regain it in other, untreated areas. If you lose weight following the proceure, your skin could become loose. Liposuction is simply a contouring procedure. Patients may lose inches, but a a good surgeon will never perform liposuction with weight loss in mind.
MYTH #1: People should get a facelift if they want to get rid of wrinkles.
This is also extremely inaccurate. If you discovered that your shirt was wrinkled, would you pull it taut to get the wrinkles out? No, of course not. You'd iron it. Respectively, a facelift is an inappropriate treatment for wrinkles. Any competent surgeon will tell you that, for wrinkles, you must undergo a chemical or laser peel. A facelift addresses sagging skin. A skin peel addresses wrinkles. If you attempt to remedy your wrinkles with a facelift, the results will be short-lived and ineffective. Unless, of course, you like the wind-blown look!
If you are considering a cosmetic surgery procedure, do your homework. Inferior skills or unethical motives can have disastrous results. Familiarize yourself with your procedure and your doctor. Armed with information, you can give yourself the best possible chance at a desirable outcome.
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