Expert answers to your most important plastic surgery questions
Verify ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery) certification specifically at abplasticsurgery.org — this is the surgical specialty board for plastic surgery. 'Board certified' alone is insufficient; some surgeons advertising cosmetic procedures are certified by less rigorous boards that don't require the same training. Also verify: hospital privileges at a Joint Commission-accredited facility (reflects peer credentialing) and no disciplinary actions on your state medical board website. ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) membership requires ABPS certification.
'Plastic surgeon' typically refers to physicians trained in a 6-year plastic surgery residency and certified by the ABPS. 'Cosmetic surgeon' is not a regulated term — it's a marketing description used by physicians from various specialties (dermatologists, OB-GYNs, family physicians) who have taken additional cosmetic training but may not have full surgical residency training in the procedures they perform. For major surgical procedures, ABPS board certification is the gold standard credential.
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Find a ContractorCombining procedures can be safe when done thoughtfully with appropriate patient selection. The risks increase with: total anesthesia time (under 6 hours is generally considered safer; beyond 8 hours increases complications), blood loss, and the extent of the surgical field. Common safe combinations: breast augmentation + lift, tummy tuck + liposuction, facelift + blepharoplasty. Discuss the specific risk profile of your proposed combination with your board-certified surgeon — not every combination is appropriate for every patient.
Recovery varies by procedure and individual. General guidelines: liposuction and breast augmentation (less invasive): 1–2 weeks for desk work, 4–6 weeks for full activity. Rhinoplasty: 1–2 weeks social recovery, 1 year for final results. Facelift: 2–3 weeks social recovery, 3–6 months for final settling. Tummy tuck: 2–4 weeks for most activity, 6 weeks full recovery. Always discuss your specific recovery expectation with your surgeon — individual healing varies significantly, and combining procedures extends recovery.
Yes — 2–3 consultations with different board-certified surgeons is standard practice for any significant procedure. Consultations let you: compare approaches, see multiple before/after portfolios specific to your procedure, assess communication style and how honestly the surgeon discusses risks and realistic outcomes, and compare pricing and what's included. The consultation process is also educational — you'll ask better questions with each successive consultation. Never book based solely on price or the first meeting.
Realistic outcomes vary by procedure. Universal principles: surgery improves, not perfects. Asymmetry exists in everyone before surgery and doesn't disappear with surgery. Final results take months (for swelling to resolve) to a year (for rhinoplasty). Body contouring surgery doesn't substitute for healthy weight management. Cosmetic surgery is most satisfying for patients with specific, achievable goals and mature understanding of what surgery can and cannot do. Dissatisfaction correlates most strongly with unrealistic expectations — not surgeon skill.
Most cosmetic plastic surgery is elective and not covered by insurance. Exceptions: rhinoplasty or septoplasty correcting functional breathing obstruction, breast reconstruction after mastectomy, blepharoplasty correcting upper eyelid drooping that impairs vision (documented by a visual field test), reduction mammaplasty in symptomatic patients (documented neck/back pain, rashes), and some post-weight-loss skin excision procedures with documented symptoms. Reconstruction after trauma or cancer is generally covered. Ask your surgeon's billing team about insurance documentation requirements before proceeding.
Look for: consistent photography (same lighting, angle, and positioning — inconsistency suggests cherry-picking). Results that look like your goals, not just impressive results. Patients who appear to have started with anatomy similar to yours. Long-term 'after' photos (at least 6 months to a year post-surgery, not just 2–4 weeks). A range of results, not only the best cases. Ask the surgeon to show you cases that didn't achieve perfect results — how they discuss complications and revisions tells you as much about their character as their portfolio.
Get itemized quotes that include: surgeon fee, anesthesia fee (often $1,000–$3,000 for general anesthesia), facility fee, pre-operative labs, post-operative garments and supplies, and follow-up visits. Ask specifically about revision policies — if you need a minor revision, is it covered? Don't pay the full amount upfront before surgery. Medical financing (CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit) is widely accepted and offers 0% promotional periods. Build a budget that includes 2–4 weeks of potential lost income during recovery.
General anesthesia for healthy patients in accredited surgical facilities is very safe — mortality risk is approximately 1 in 200,000 to 1 in 300,000. Risks increase with: obesity (BMI 35+), smoking, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and longer surgery duration. Pre-operative evaluation by the anesthesiologist identifies and mitigates individual risks. Ask whether your procedure will be done in an AAAASF, AAAHC, or Medicare-certified facility — these accreditations require quality safety standards that protect patients.
First, ensure you've given adequate healing time — most results aren't final for 6–12 months. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon directly — many issues (contour irregularities, minor asymmetries, scar quality) can be improved with revision. A reputable surgeon will listen and develop a plan. If you feel dismissed, seek a second opinion from another ABPS board-certified surgeon. Revision surgery is common in plastic surgery — rhinoplasty revision rates run 10–15%. Prevention is best: thorough consultation, realistic expectations, and choosing the right surgeon from the start.