As a Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon, I am a member of a large and august professional community. Most people would call Los Angeles this nation’s cosmetic surgery capital, and an ever-expanding number of TV specials, reality shows, and docudramas about Los Angeles plastic surgery only lend credence to the reputation.
But while the high concentration of cosmetic surgeons here is a boon for producers, it can be a boondoggle for patients, many of whom find themselves overwhelmed by conflicting claims and contradictory advice. For them and for you, then, I herewith offer a short primer on how to choose the best Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon for your needs. Consider the following!
1. Price
Naturally. Cosmetic surgery is hardly cheap under the best of circumstances, but some surgeons still charge four or five times the national average. Their thought process is hardly a mystery: most people equate higher prices with better quality, and of course nobody wants a “bargain” facelift. And of course, all those profits don’t hurt.
The good news is that you don’t have to bankrupt yourself for quality cosmetic surgery. Many Los Angeles cosmetic surgeons charge enormous fees simply because they can; strong marketing and/or major media mentions have earned them a steady stream of patients, and many respond with exorbitant price hikes. But there are plenty of less famous Los Angeles plastic surgeons who still charge reasonable rates for world-class results. How to find them, you ask? Read on.
2. Reputation
Reputation is a tricky thing: it, too, can be confused with those media mentions and marketing pyrotechnics. But fame and reputation are two different things, and learning to discriminate between them is the key to finding a talented cosmetic surgeon. Medical reputations are not won or lost through radio spots; they are earned over many years of hard work. The best way to zero in on a great Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon is to ask around: query your doctors, fellow patients, and friends. You may be surprised at how well-regarded some lesser known surgeons are, and how poorly some of those TV-friendly doctors stand up under professional scrutiny.
3. Credentials
Cosmetic surgery is not a hobby and it’s not a sport; it is an exacting medical skill honed over many years working closely with some of the industry’s brightest minds. Do not be afraid to ask your potential surgeon where he or she got their M.D., did their residency, completed their fellowship, and fulfilled various courses of advanced training. If all those hospital names begin to run together, consider checking a quick list of the nation’s top medical schools and fellowships for reference. Stick with physicians whose diplomas connote superior education and you are far more likely to get safe and stunning results.
4. The ‘X’ Factor
So now let us say you have found a few reasonably priced, well-regarded, well-credentialed Los Angeles plastic surgeons. How do you make that final determination? Ultimately your choice must come down to something else, an ineffable qualitythat makes you feel more comfortable with one doctor over another. In my experience, that something is trust.
Some doctors simply take more time to understand their patients’ goals and fears. They are more adept at explaining all your options in a lucid and human way. And they genuinely listen, instead of talking through the entire consultation. Take the time to meet with your top prospects, and don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. Cosmetic surgery is an important decision – emotionally, physically, financially – and you deserve all the care and consideration you can get. Your comfort is paramount.
Los Angeles cosmetic surgery is a buyer’s market, and the list of available options is long and loud. Do yourself a favor and tune out everything but the most important factors: price, reputation, credentials, and comfort. The rest, as they say, is surgery.