Choosing a qualified Facial surgeon with the right credentials is critical to achieving a successful outcome. Perhaps you are looking for someone with a good bedside manner, current magazines in the waiting room or a sharp dresser. Some may look for the most expensive physician, yet others look for the least expensive. Whatever your criteria, iEnhance has put this information together to assist you in selecting the best Facial surgeon to meet your needs.
After reviewing this section, you may want to conduct additional independent research. You may want to browse the "Mentor" section or try the "Message Board" to find someone that has had a similar procedure performed and can help you feel more assured of your own decisions. You may also check out the "My Story" section for personal experience from patients that have had cosmetic surgery procedures. To some people, training reputation, and word-of-mouth are preferred criteria for selecting a physician. iEnhance also has a "Locate a Specialist" to help guide you in choosing a well-trained physician by location, procedure or name. A list of professional organizations is provided at the end of this page to assist you in verifying physician credentials.
"What are some of the preliminary checks I should make prior to scheduling a consultation?"
Verify the education of the physician. iEnhance is proud to offer an extensive listing of physicians who meet our selection criteria. As you search through our list of facial plastic surgeons, you will find that many of them have earned their certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOTO), the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), or are board eligible for the aforementioned boards. ABOTO and ABFPRS-certified physicians have graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least another five years of residency as a surgeon. Of these five years, the physician has completed at least two years of training as a Facial surgery resident and at least three years as a general surgery resident. To verify that the physician's medical school is accredited, go to www.lcme.org
Verify Board Certification of physician. To be Board certified or Board eligible, the physician must have passed rigorous written and oral examinations given by the ABOTO and ABFPRS. You can confirm a physician?s Board certification by clicking to www.abms.org (American Board of Medical Specialties), selecting the "Who?s Certified" button, then typing in the doctor?s name. The verification will tell you which board certified the doctor.
Verify participation in continuing education programs. All practicing physicians are required to attend continuing education programs to maintain their license. Ask what specialized Continuing Education courses the physician has attended and/or lectured at. This information can usually be obtained from the office manager or receptionist. Your physician may also list membership in medical associations, academies or societies. You may want to contact each specific organization to inquire about its entry requirements.
Verify the physician is licensed to practice medicine in the state he/she is located. You may verify that the physician is licensed to practice in your state by contacting the State?s Medical Licensing Board. This number is listed in the State Government section of your phone book.
Check past or pending civil or criminal actions. Contact the County Clerk?s Office of the county in which the physician has practiced or is practicing to verify court actions. Please be discrete in collecting and using this information.
Alternatively, you may use a Physician Credential Verification company to conduct the checks for you. iEnhance has partnered with www.SearchPointe.com to assist our users in verifying doctors? credentials. At the SearchPointe home page, click on "Doctor Search", enter the search parameters and click "Search Now". Within a few seconds, SearchPointe will provide a free report that gives you the doctor?s name, phone number, address, specialty, education, school and residency information. Then for a small fee, you can order a License and Sanction report for that doctor.
?What questions should I ask during the consultation??
Once you have done all the research and determined that the physician you have chosen is competent and qualified, you may want to go ahead and make a consultation appointment. In addition to the questions you ask the physician, the most important thing to consider is the communication between you and the physician. Be sure that you are comfortable with the physician and that all your questions are being answered. A give-and-take dialogue can ensure that you and the physician have the same vision of what you want the end result to be. iEnhance has provided you with a list of questions within each Procedure Description. Together with the questions provided here you should get a fairly comprehensive picture of the physicians working style and credentials.
Does the physician have hospital privileges at a local or major hospital? You may also contact the hospital to verify the information.
What does this treatment recommendation mean? Any part of the treatment your physician has recommended that you don?t understand, don?t be afraid to ask for more information.
Why did you select this profession and what procedures do you prefer doing the most? If the physician doesn?t enjoy what he/she is doing, he/she may not do the best job. But when the physician loves what they do, they may do more research and have developed better techniques.
How much will it cost, and when and how are you expected to pay? Does the physician participate in your medical plan? How will he/she accept payment and when will it be due? IEnhance provides an avenue for you to arrange financing for your treatment. Patient Financing
If you have talked things over with your physician and are still unsure about what to do, get a second opinion. Don't ever be apprehensive to get a second opinion, "two heads are usually better than one".
Has the physician ever had malpractice insurance denied, suspended or revoked? The answer should be "NO".
CAVEAT: Selecting a board-certified physician assures you that the doctor has completed extensive training and passed rigorous examinations in his/her specialty. However, this does not guarantee that you will obtain the exact results that you desire. Carefully read about the procedure in the Procedure Description section, understand the risks associated with the procedure, and perhaps obtain a second opinion from another physician. In sum, thoroughly research the physician and procedure before proceeding. You will be better informed and be able to ask more informed and pertinent questions. But most importantly, enjoy your new look!
Links to Professional Organizations:
http://www.lcme.org - Liaison Committee on Medical Education. This organization accredits medical schools in the US and Canada. Click on "Directory of Accredited Medical Education Programs" to verify the accreditation of your doctor?s medical school.
http://www.abms.org - The American Board of Medical Specialties. ABMS is the umbrella organization for the 24 approved medical specialty boards in the United States.
http://www.SearchPointe.com- a Physician Credential Verification company. From the home page, click on "Doctor Search", enter the search parameters and click "Search Now". Within a few seconds, SearchPointe will provide a free report that gives you the doctor's name, phone number, address, specialty, education, school and residency information. Then for a small fee, you can order a License and Sanction report on that doctor.
Other relevant links:
http://www.aboto.org - The American Board of Otolaryngology. Over 1,400 Board-certified Facial surgeons worldwide are members of this professional organization.
http://www.aafprs.org - American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. With over 2,600 members worldwide, this professional organization represents surgeons performing cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head and neck. AAFPRS is a National Medical Specialty Society of the American Medical Assoc. (AMA) and holds official seats in the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons. While the American Board of Plastic Surgery does not certify many of AAFPRS' surgeons, the majority is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, which includes training in facial plastic and reconstructive procedures. Other AAFPRS members are surgeons certified in ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and dermatology.
