What To Look For In A Surgeon So You’ll Have A Successful Surgery

Surgery is not a situation to be taken lightly. No matter what type of surgery you are having, it is best to know that surgery is the last option left. If there is nothing to be done but to proceed with the surgery, take time to learn about the procedure and choose the best the hospital or clinic, and the surgeon who will conduct the operation.

For instance, if you are planning to have a hair transplant surgery or a cosmetic surgery,  Vera Clinic has expertise in these areas. It has been running for 14 years, has an applauding reputation, and has a team of experienced surgeons.

If you want to have the best result of your surgery, choose the best surgeon. Here are some tips to help you select the best one:

1. Must be board certified and state licensed.

The first thing you need to consider is the professional background of the surgeon. Depending on what state or country you are in, a list of physicians is just a click away. Look for verified sites that post a list of licensed physicians in your country like the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

Board eligible is different from board certified. The former means that the doctor has not yet passed the board certification test although he finished the appropriate residency while the latter implies that he has passed the exam after undergoing training in a specialty. Confirm if the physician is licensed in your state by checking the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB).

In the plastic surgery area, there are some people who do not have the proper qualifications to be plastic surgeons; therefore it is essential to check their license and certification that they have finished a formal education in plastic surgery.

2. Must not have been previously reprimanded.

You should also check if the surgeon’s previous reprimand records and why such actions are imposed.

If reasons for disciplinary board actions are due to malpractice or grave problems, cross his/her name out of the list. You can access this paid information through FSMB since it has links to state websites. It is better to pay for such information than risk your life to physicians with malpractice history.

3. Must have an outstanding outcomes based ratings.

Nowadays, sites such as Medicare are launching a rating system to score the actual outcomes of doctors who have performed surgeries such as heart bypass outcome. But the disadvantage is, if the surgeon doesn’t have Medicare, he/she is not included in their list.

Some sites like ProPublica and Consumers’ Checkbook provide ratings of doctors based on the number of procedures conducted and its complication rates. You have to find the right website that caters to your state.

It is vital that you know how many operations your surgeon has conducted and how successful they are to help you have the confidence to make him/her as your surgeon.

4. Must be highly recommended.

A doctor with a pleasing personality is good, but when choosing a surgeon, skills are more important. You can ask around and evaluate his/her skills through the recommendations of former patients. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends, family and even neighbors who have had similar surgery you are to undergo. Inquire about their surgeons and take note if they recommend the surgeon or not.

It is also important to ask the outcome of the surgery whether they are pleased or not and the reasons for such. Also, know the preparedness of the doctor and the facility to conduct the operation.

If you are still unsatisfied and still needs more recommendations, find a support group that shares the same condition as yours. Be wary of the negative opinions or unsatisfied reactions from the outcome of their surgery. If complaints are legitimate, take the doctor’s name out of your consideration.

5. Must also be recommended by their colleagues.

If you want to know the real scoop on your preferred doctors, ask their colleagues, especially the nurses. Nurses and fellow doctors can identify who is best and worst in their workplace.

Nurses who have been assisting in the operating rooms profoundly know who makes successful operations and who commits a lot of mistakes.

Elicit information from them by asking questions like who would they send their ailing family or loved ones to for surgery. If they answer directly and point out who they will choose to go to, then you have your answer. But if they merely say that this doctor is kind, you must know to read between the lines.

However, colleagues will not directly point out who is worst from the rest so you must be attentive to their tone of voice when talking about a doctor.

Conclusion:

Being wary is a must when it comes to taking risks about your health and life. So it is essential to know the things mentioned before you make a consultation with your surgeon. Clear your mind of worries before making a final preference of your surgeon.

This is a guest blog entry.