How to Choose a Facial Cosmetic Surgeon

Once you have decided to look into cosmetic surgery, you know you want a surgeon who is an expert at what they do, with experience in your area of concern and enthusiasm for the procedure itself. You will also want to see evidence of sound past surgical results and standout reviews from their previous patients.

But finding the right surgeon in your area can require a bit of research. Follow these steps to locate a surgeon who is experienced, credentialed, and a good match based on your chosen procedure.

1. Check the surgeon’s credentials

For a safe, skilled, and dedicated cosmetic surgeon, begin by confirming that your surgeon is board-certified by either the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS) or the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS).

2. Read the surgeon’s website and social media pages

Your surgeon’s website and social media will reveal not just biographical details about their training and certification, but the procedures in which they specialize. This will help you determine if the surgeon is a good match for the procedure that you seek.

3. View the surgeon’s before-and-after gallery

Surgical results as shown in before-and-after galleries can give you a sense of the surgeon’s results. To envision the outcome you may have with the surgeon, look for patients with similar features to you in the “before” photos.

Be sure to ask to see more photos in your consultation; your surgeon likely has additional photos of previous patients for consultation purposes, and looking at others’ results is an excellent way to get on the same page about your desired outcome.

4. Read patient reviews and testimonials

While it varies by practice, many patients leave reviews on a surgeon’s profile on Real Patient Ratings, RealSelf,  Facebook, Google, or other platforms. Some practices include patient testimonials on their websites. If patient testimonials are hard to come by, call the practice and ask where you can find reviews from their previous patients.

5. Schedule a one-on-one consultation

The initial consultation is ultimately the best way to decide if a particular surgeon is a good fit, so don’t be afraid to arrange consultations with multiple surgeons in order to carefully vet your choices. During the consultation, you will be able to get to know the surgeon, share your concerns and desired results, and learn what they can do for you. Begin by searching for an ABFCS diplomate surgeon through our website.