Choosing a Doctor for Your Liposuction

You want to be as careful selecting the doctor who will perform your liposuction as you would be selecting one for any other kind of surgery. While this procedure is relatively minor, you could be at risk for serious complications if it is performed by an unqualified professional. It is also vital that your doctor does a good job of managing your expectations.

There is really no specific qualification that will guarantee the doctor you choose will be the best one to provide your liposuction. However, you should still only consider those who have the proper amount of training and experience. There are many different types of doctors who perform this type of procedure, so make sure the ones you are choosing from specialize in the surgery if possible.

Liposuction typically takes place in either a doctor's office or an outpatient facility. Because of this, you may assume that your doctor will have the proper training needed. That may not be the case. It is very important that your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This entity holds doctors to extremely high standards, and requires them to undergo rigorous training.

Once you have narrowed down your choices to three or four doctors, schedule consultations with all of them. Ask as many questions as you can think of. If necessary, either write them down or bring someone with you to make sure no important questions slip through the cracks. You also need to have as clear a picture as possible regarding the cost of your liposuction before you commit to anything. If one doctor offers a much lower price than others, you don't want to risk the chance that you may be skimping on the quality of care for a reduced price.

Don't assume that because they are talking to a doctor that automatically means that person will be performing the surgery. You need to be aware of who will be taking care of your procedure so that you can be as comfortable as possible. Also, find out how often the doctor has performed the exact procedure that you will be having. He or she may specialize in facelifts and only perform liposuction sporadically. Get photos of recent operations so that you can judge the results for yourself.

Find out how long you can expect to spend recovering from your procedure just in case you need to take time off from work or make arrangements for someone to take care of any children you may have. Get as clear an idea as possible of the side effects that may arise too, and how much discomfort is expected. Once you have asked all of the necessary questions and you've found a doctor who you are comfortable with, you can plan you procedure stress-free.