By The decision to get plastic surgery is a crucial decision, and the successes of your procedures largely depends on the plastic surgeons that you choose. Needless to say, getting a certified and skilled surgeon is a must. But is it enough that the surgeon is qualified?
The answer is no. Apart from qualifications and licenses, there are many other criteria to consider before deciding on your plastic surgeons. And if you have decided to get some work done and are looking for a plastic surgeon, here are some pointers for you to consider:
1. Do your homework on the surgical procedures and plastic surgeons online first
Knowledge is power and google knows everything! It is important to research on the specific procedures that you are looking to get to understand what you are getting into. Make sure that you really want to do them or need them before jumping the gun.
Are the surgeries that you wish to get for aesthetic or medical purposes? Get an idea of how getting those plastic surgeries can affect your appearance and lifestyle, and decide if it’s something you want.
2. Get advice and recommendations from those who have had plastic surgery done
Do you know anyone who has gotten plastic surgery done? If possible, reach out to them and get an honest rundown of their experiences – from their consultation with their doctors to the surgery itself to their recovery process.
One very reassuring indicator of a good plastic surgeon is through word-of-mouth endorsement from a trusted friend or family member.
3. Read reviews and see before-and-after photos of plastic surgeons
Another great way to find a good plastic surgeon is to read reviews and see examples of their work through before-and-after pictures. By doing so, you can figure out a particular surgeon’s views of aesthetics and whether it is consistent with your aesthetic goals and desires.
Don’t ever choose a plastic surgeon without seeing examples of their work beforehand!
4. Take information on the internet with a healthy pinch of salt
Reading clinic reviews from plastic surgery forums or endorsements from your favourite beauty Youtubers could be another way to source for good doctors. While they can be seen as great sources of information, they could also be sources of misinformation.
So view information on the internet with a healthy does of skepticism – it helps you remain objective. Because there are always people who do use social media and forums to advance their own agenda instead of as a way to share knowledge and personal experiences.
Watch out for doctors who appear to do a lot of advertising. Heavily advertised clinics and clinics who offer promotions all the time could be a red flag instead of a good sign. Be smart about it.
5. Choose plastic surgeons who specialize in certain niches and shares the same aesthetics as you
Plastic surgery is not only a surgical endeavor but also a pursuit of art. Not all surgeons are alike but you can tell the good from the bad, and the best from the good.
The more awareness and commitment a surgeon has towards beauty and aesthetics, the more likely the surgeon can produce the results you desire, especially if you both have the same aesthetic views.
Note that every surgeon has varied opinions about what beauty is. You just have to choose the right ones who fit with you.
6. Shortlist a few plastic surgeons and check their credentials
Needless to say, do check that the plastic surgeons that you have shortlisted are qualified and licensed to practice in their country. Check for board-certified Korean plastic surgeons at KSPRS (Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons).
Being awarded with internationally or locally-recognized titles further assures their capabilities.
Aside from credentials, experience matters – so much more than you think they do. Keep in mind that a surgeon who is skilled at rhinoplasty may not be skilled at breast surgery. You’ll want to ensure that your chosen candidates are well-trained in the specific surgeries that you want to get.
And because practice makes perfect, the more experienced they are, the higher chance for you to achieve the results you desire.
7. Hit them up online and interact with the clinic’s staff
Before visiting the clinics, try interacting with them through social media and messaging apps. Ask questions and observe their replies. Are they professional? Are they helpful? Did they address your concerns?
Interacting with the clinic’s staff can help you determine their service attitudes which sort of reveals some insight of what you can expect from their doctors and the clinic. If they cannot be bothered with you online, what are the odds that they will treat you better in person?
8. Avoid bargain hunting and being pushy with discounts
When it comes to plastic surgery, experience and quality matter much more than its price, seriously. It’s one thing to get good deals and another to go for cheap deals. You pay for what you get and plastic surgery is no flea market.
Your choices should be based on the expertise, quality and experience of the surgeon, not prices. Keep in mind that getting the desired results can help save money from revision surgeries!
And ending up in the hands of bad surgeons can cost you more – think of the additional cost, revision surgeries, time and heartaches. And in the worst case scenario, leave you with severe medical damages.
9. Visit the clinics and make sure its clean
Check out how the place looks and the personality of their service staff. The clinic itself should have professional, presentable and friendly staff as well as a comfortable and safe environment.
Whether it is a small or big clinic, the two things that you shouldn’t be made to feel tensed and uncomfortable. And above all, it must be clean. If it feels dodgy or filthy, get the hell out of there.
10. Don’t rush to get your surgery and listen to your gut
Don’t get too excited and rush to get your surgeries done. Do visit a few clinics and get plenty of advice from different surgeons.
And no matter how highly recommended the surgeons are or how impressive his credentials are, its way better to get a doctor who is caring, compassionate, reliable and someone who you are comfortable with.
Afterall, if you don’t feel confident and trust the surgeon, how will you be able to achieve your desired results? So even if you can’t seem to pinpoint exactly what is wrong, listen to your gut feeling and don’t follow through with it.
Conclusion
Most plastic surgeons have their own exclusive techniques as well as varied opinions on what looks good and what’s the best way to achieve certain results.
Therefore, make sure to assess the works that the surgeon has done in the past, and read reviews on their work so you gauge what is best for you and anticipate what to expect. But most importantly, manage your own expectations.
Be aware of all your options and always discuss your options and expectations with the plastic surgeons. But ultimately, you need to have confidence in the one you choose and let them make the final decisions. Because afterall, they are the experts, not you.
And as long as your surgeon fits your expectations, has no history of willful negligence or cases of malpractices, chances are, you will be able to achieve the results you desire.
cosmetic surgery in koreaplastic surgery in korea
What do you think?