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| Browse questions and answers on topics that are hot right now. |
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| Who Can I Trust? |
| By Theodore T. Katz, MD, FACS Philadelphia, PA |
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When it comes to any type of facial cosmetic surgery the results are there for the world to see. Any changes that are made are certainly for improvement to your own self-image and esteem. Complications, undesirable results, and even results that are less than what you expected can lead to disappointment, depression and increased preoccupation with that end result. So it is very important that you spend as much time picking your surgeon as you do making the decision. This all begins with you researching your particular problem, evaluating your goals, gathering information and then having a consultation with a surgeon (or two, or three!). Only then can you be rest assured that you have met your obligations to yourself to be in a position to make the most educated decision you can about something that may impact you for the rest of your life.
The goal of this article is to assist you to evaluate the surgeon you will entrust your scalp and self-image to for hair restoration. The assumption is already made that you are considering surgical hair restoration.
Do Your Homework
What criteria should one use to evaluate a physician before and during the consultation? Remember, the consultation is for you to gather information both about the procedure itself (i.e. the alternatives, potential risks and complications and expected results), and to gather information about your surgeon and any impressions he/she makes upon you.
To get to know your prospective surgeon gather information both before and during the consultation. If you don’t know the surgeon, you may inquire about him or her from your family doctor, any friends you may know that have been treated by him, your county or state medical society, or the American Medical Association. If you have access to a computer and know how to use the Internet, you can check the credentials of the surgeon. Is he/she a member of the AMA, is he/she board certified, and if so by what board? Is that board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (an arm of the AMA)? One caution – when trying to evaluate any doctor using different sites on the Internet, you may not be able to validate the authority or veracity of the person making any claims. Basically, anyone can enter a chat room, discussion group or bulletin board and post messages about someone, so take that information with caution.
Questions to Ask
Once you have done your homework you can then set up a consultation with a surgeon. You may even decide to consult with more than one to evaluate any differing opinions or options.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions of the Surgeon.
- Are you a physician in good standing with the AMA or local medical society?
- Are you board certified? By which Board?
- What is your background training (i.e. – in which field: plastic surgery, general surgery, dermatology, ENT, etc)?
- What is your specific training for hair transplantation (a “week-end” or short course, a formal training program, etc.)?
- May I have a copy of your CV (curriculum vitae)?
- What is your experience?
- How many procedures have you performed (approximately how many hair transplants have you done and in how many procedures or patients)?
- What are your results?
- Do you have un-retouched photographs of patients (before and after)?
- May I speak to any of your patients?
While asking all of the above questions you should pay attention to the general feeling you get from your physician. Does he/she appear comfortable in this discussion? Is he/she offended by any of these questions? Does he/she avoid direct answers and give non-specific responses? Even though you may have already researched the specific risks of the procedure, ask the surgeon what the risks are and evaluate the response. Is it readily forthcoming? Is it detailed enough? Does he/she pass over the risks lightly?
Throughout the consultation listen to your feelings as well as the information you receive. Do you feel comfortable with the surgeon? Does he/she make you feel relaxed, pressured, and uncomfortable? Does he/she inspire confidence without being arrogant or patronizing?
Again, there is no reason why you can’t get several different opinions if you still are uncertain. And there is no reason why you shouldn’t return to any surgeon to get more information. A surgeon should always feel that he/she is imparting to you enough information to make an intelligent decision. This is the most difficult part – making the decision to go ahead with the procedure. Going through with it tends to be less stressful; it’s just a matter of "getting it over with." You should never feel rushed or pressured to have a procedure and you should always feel that the surgeon has your best interests in mind and not his wallet.
Feeling Bold? Ask Direct Questions to Your Surgeon.
- Are all of your patients happy with their results (beware the one who says yes!)?
- When a patient is unhappy what is their primary reason?
- Why do you feel that you are any better at what you do than the surgeon down the road who says he/she is (and charges less?)?
This last question raises a very important issue. Is cost the most important factor to you. If it is, then you may be placing yourself at greater risk for problems. Not that cost itself isn’t important, it just should not be the main factor in your choice of surgeon. A surgeon who is much more qualified and experienced may be worth more if what you want is a quality result. And the most expensive surgeon isn’t always the best either. Ask as many of the questions above as you can before you make a decision.
If you are able to see photographs of patients before and after, evaluate the artistry of the results. How natural does it look? The best option is to actually meet with a patient and evaluate the natural appearance. If you can tell right away that hair transplants have been done, be concerned and see more patients of this surgeon or another. Then proceed with confidence and assurance that you have placed your trust into the hands of a respected, concerned, skilled and artistic surgeon!
Dr. Theodore Katz is a plastic surgeon board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery practicing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Getting Started
If you are considering a cosmetic medical procedure, consult a board-certified plastic surgeon about the process, risks, recovery time and costs. For confidential, personalized information at no cost or obligation, use the Find A Specialist tool to find a board-certified plastic surgeon near you. It’s your first step to looking and feeling better today!
Share your thoughts and questions in the Forums.
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Learn more about hair restoration now.
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To search for information about other ways to enhance your appearance, visit the eBody home page now. |
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