When you want to have cosmetic surgery it is important to take your time and find the right cosmetic surgeon for you.
How to choose the right cosmetic surgeon for you?
It is still a good policy to see out personal recommendations from someone you know or a family member. However, if you want to do your own research, the web sites of specialists are a good source of information. The explanatory content gives details of all the operations made by professionals, as well as specific details of what the operations entail and how they take place. ‘Before’ and ‘after’ photos show the results obtained.
Official directories of surgeons
The French National Medical Council (Conseil National de l’Ordre des Médecins): consult this website for its list of authorised practitioners. The specialists mentioned have all the necessary diplomas to practice their activity.
The French Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (Société Française de Chirurgie Plastique Reconstructrice et Esthétique) : this official organisation is in charge of cosmetic/aesthetic surgery and has very strict and serious regulations, adapted to protect patients and avoids the risk of complications.
Taking into account diplomas
On the practitioner’s website, it is always useful to look at the diplomas they have acquired and their qualifications. First of all, the practitioner would have studied for 6 years in general medicine. Then, for a further 7 years specialising and acquiring experience in hospital surgery services as an Assistant or Clinic Head, to obtain the Further Specialized Studies Diploma (DESC – diplôme d’études spécialisées complémentaires) in Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
As well as this indispensable qualification, there are numerous other diplomas which allow surgeons to perfect their skills and competences.
In this way, such diplomas are a guarantee of quality and professionalism.
The importance of the initial consultation
Before any operation takes place, an initial consultation with the specialist is necessary in order to answer the different questions the future patient might have, and to discuss in more detail their specific requirements.
We suggest that you to select, contact and meet with two or three cosmetic surgeons in order to have informed and competent advice.
During such meetings more details will be given concerning the way the operation will take place. Furthermore, these meetings also serve to determine the confidence level between the patient and the professional.
The cosmetic surgeon should be clear and take sufficient time, but most of all, must be aware of the expectations of their patient.
At the end of the consultation, the cosmetic surgeon provides the patient with a detailed estimation of the procedure and costs involved, which provides for a 15 day reflection period. In general, such an estimate also includes postoperative monitoring. At the same time, information provided by the French Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (Société Française de Chirurgie Plastique Reconstructrice et Esthétique) is usually given to the patient, so that they can have as much information as possible.
A second pre-operative consultation is usually proposed, which serves to ask all the questions which were not covered in the first consultation.
Once the patient has made up their mind to go ahead with the operation. an informed consent form is signed with the doctor specialised in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
Choosing the surgeon you feel most comfortable with increases the chances of the intervention being successful, and hence obtaining the desired results at the end of the postoperative monitoring period.