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Plastic surgery is a procedure that should not be entered into without serious thought and research. These surgeries can be performed for both aesthetic reasons or reconstructive reasons. For this article we will focus more on the cosmetic side of choosing a plastic surgeon but the same can be applied if you require cosmetic surgery after an accident. You just need to apply the process to the specialty needed from the plastic surgeon involved.

Plastic surgery is not cheap and insurance rarely pays for the majority of the costs unless the surgery is for health reasons. This is why it is important to approach your choice of plastic surgeon very objectively. You want to get the best value from your choice. You are dealing with changing the appearance of your body, usually permanently so you need to take emotion out of the equation.

What's the most important consideration when choosing your plastic surgeon? The main one of course is whether they are accredited. This means whether they are certified by some board that has medical standing. In the United States it is best to have a doctor that is certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. These doctors are chosen due to the fact that they have at least five years of training in surgical procedures as well as at least two years of training exclusively in the field of plastic surgery. There are around 5,000 plastic surgeons certified by the ASPS in the United States, so you shouldn't have trouble finding one that meets the accreditation.

Secondly, you should check into the facility where you will be having the procedure done. Many types of plastic surgery like liposuction do not necessarily take place inside a hospital. Whether you are having the procedure in a hospital or an outpatient center make sure to check that the institution and facility also are medically certified.

Thirdly check the background of the plastic surgeon you are evaluating. Don't be afraid to ask specific questions about where they trained, for how long and when. Something else to look into is whether they have written papers or conducted research in the types of procedures you are considering having. This can show you whether the surgeon's skills are fresh and up to date. It can also help you see what procedures are being talked about in their field. For instance, you may find that a more updated version of liposuction called Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty may make liposuction easier.

Lastly you need to look at the reputation of the plastic surgeon you are evaluating. Plastic surgery is as much an art form as a science. Some are better at producing the aesthetic look you want. Before and after pictures are good ways of evaluating this but make sure you are looking at ones for the procedure you are hoping to have. A good plastic surgeon will also has good follow up program and will not abandon you once the initial surgery is over. Plastic surgery is one of the decisions you will make in your life, make sure you pick the right partner.