Looking for a Plastic Surgeon for Your Breast Augmentation?
Watch Out for These 7 Red Flags

Hasty Consultation

For most patients, the first time they meet their surgeon is during the first consultation.

It’s supposed to be a thorough meeting where your surgeon tries to get to know you and your concerns and recommends procedures based on your needs.

But if you find yourself being led out of the clinic before you can clarify all your concerns, then you might want to look for another surgeon who will listen to you better.

You can’t trust a surgeon who prioritizes his own time over yours.

Promotions Left and Right

Perhaps you’ve had a lengthy consultation with your surgeon, but almost everything you talked about is his promotions.

“I’m the cheapest surgeon in town.”

“A breast lift is not enough. You need to get breast implants as well for great results.”

“You’ve seen my ads on TV; what other proof do you need?”

If those are the things coming out of your surgeon’s mouth, you might want to think twice.

A surgeon who employs high-pressure tactics when he’s trying to upsell a procedure might just be squeezing more money out of you.

Heavy advertising can also be a red flag because most accomplished surgeons rely on word of mouth to provide them a steady stream of patients.

Making Promises and Guarantees

Here’s one thing to remember about plastic surgery: there are no guarantees. There are risks associated with every surgery, no matter how minimally invasive.

A surgeon promising that you will definitely get the celebrity look you want or that you will look 20 years younger is most likely over-promising.

Manage your expectations so to avoid being swayed by these empty promises.

Lack of Before and After Photos

It’s hard to trust everything that your surgeon says, so one of the best gauges for his skills and experience is the presence of before and after photos.

If a surgeon says he’s had plenty of years of experience on breast augmentation, then he should have a portfolio to back up his claims.

And make sure that you like what you see in the photos!

Lack of Accreditations

Breast augmentation is often performed in ambulatory care centers or the surgeon’s office-based surgical clinic. Still, it is important to make sure that these facilities are properly accredited to ensure that they’re meeting all safety standards.

There are four major accrediting bodies in the United States: The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), The Joint Commission (TJC), The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), and Medicare. Make sure that your chosen surgery center has been certified by at least one of these.

It’s also essential to make sure that your surgeon has access to hospitals for easy access to emergency equipment.

Does Procedures Outside Specialization

There are many kinds of plastic surgery, so plastic surgeons will have their specializations. As a patient, you won’t go to a surgeon who specializes in facial plastics if you want to get a boob job done.

While there are surgeons who do full body treatments, you should make sure that your chosen surgeon has enough experience in breast augmentation. Again, asking for before and after photos would help.

Lack of Board Certification

Board certification is non-negotiable when it comes to choosing a plastic surgeon. It ensures that your chosen surgeon has been specifically trained in the procedures that they’re offering.

To know if your plastic surgeon is board-certified, search for his name in the American Board of Plastic Surgery website.

The ABPS is the only board duly recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties that certifies plastic surgeons.

If your surgeon is not board-certified by the ABPS, then you better re-evaluate your choice.