Dr. Robert T. Grant of New York City, New York discusses how to sort through the negative tales of plastic surgery, as well as the nearly limitless amount of information available, to find the best plastic surgeon to keep aging at bay in an intelligent, safe manner.
By Dr. Robert T. Grant
and Adam McMillon
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com
Image and Appearance in the Modern World
“Like never before in human history, image and appearance have become of great importance, both at the conscious and subconscious level,” says Dr. Grant. “With our interconnectedness through the variety of social media networks, our image to the rest of the world describes us and carries an importance never before seen. These days, before I even meet someone, they know what I look like, how old I am, what I do and how I do it.” The great weight this places on appearance causes many people to consider plastic surgery to maintain their look.
Some might choose a surgeon without a lot of thought or research, which could easily be a mistake that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. “People must realize that not all plastic surgery is the same,” claims Grant. “Just because they saw an Internet ad for a surgeon down the road who can perform a breast augmentation half price in half the time, doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. In fact, it could cause problems they will live with for many years, if not their entire life.”
Why must I research plastic surgeons?
There are many surgeons who have finished medical school and can perform surgery. However, only a minority of these surgeons are board certified plastic surgeons, having a skill level that a certified board of peers has deemed to be expert. “A board certified plastic surgeon has gone through extensive training beyond basic surgery and achieved this title from prestigious peers,” states Grant. “A surgeon who has achieved this is at the top of their game, in both surgical procedure and safety.” Board certified surgeons may be more expensive, but trusting your life to someone with expert ability pays off more than someone who has little experience in the field. Researching and questioning surgeons about their background and certifications is the best thing you can do as a patient. “You only have one opportunity in making the right choice,” says Grant. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
What patients should look for:
- Find out from your surgeon whether or not they are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This title is received after extensive training and signifies that their abilities are respected and vouched for by their peers, who themselves are deemed experts.
- Discover if the surgeon is affiliated with a local health care system, such as a hospital or university medical school. “These affiliations signal that that their credentials and practice have been explored by their peers,” says Grant.
- Verify that their facility is accredited. This is equally important as board certification, as it declares the facility has been officially proven to have all of the equipment required to perform operations effectively and safely. In the event that a complication arises, an accredited facility will have all the tools necessary to address the issue.
“No one can guarantee a particular result,” says Grant. “Board certified plastic surgeons pride themselves on being able to offer their patients the latest advancements in the safest environments possible.”