Dr. Karsan - Facial Plastic Surgeon

Tips for Choosing a Facial Plastic Surgeon

Question:  I’m considering a surgical procedure to refresh my looks this year.   Can you share some tips on choosing a facial plastic surgeon?

Answer: Do you want to achieve an outer appearance that truly reflects your inner beauty? If so, you are likely considering plastic surgery to help you look and feel your best.   Research is required to find an ethical, experienced facial plastic surgeon whose esthetic ideal matches yours. 

Select an Ethical Plastic Surgeon

Have you ever been to a mechanic that tries to replace everything from your windshield wiper blades to your transmission when all you needed was an oil change? An unethical plastic surgeon operates in a similar fashion. They try to talk you into additional surgeries or they are willing to compromise function in order to achieve a particular look. Your reaction should be similar to the one you have when you encounter a shady mechanic. Run for the door!

Instead look for a doctor who is honest and ethical. They will not recommend unnecessary procedures or agree to perform a procedure that isn’t right for you – no matter how badly you want it.  Remain open to suggestions. Don’t focus on a particular procedure; focus on what it is you want to enhance or correct. Not every procedure is right for every patient. An ethical plastic surgeon will weigh all options and advise you accordingly. An ethical plastic surgeon with an understanding of the esthetic ideal will help you achieve a look that is beautiful but also takes into account your specific bone structure and other factors. The result is a balanced, refreshed look that is both beautiful and natural.

Interview More Than One Plastic Surgeon

Select a handful of possible candidates and make an appointment for a personal consultation. Be observant when you arrive at the plastic surgeon's office. You want beautiful, natural results that will not make you look "done." Look for a plastic surgeon with the same esthetic ideal. Do the plastic surgeon and staff look natural and refreshed or do they look "done"? If the potential doctor and his or her staff have an overdone Hollywood look this is direct reflection of the doctor's esthetic ideal.

Get a realistic view of the operation during your personal consultation. Ask the potential plastic surgeon:

• What the procedure will and will not accomplish?
• What is the expected recovery time?
• What are the total costs for the procedure?
• What risks are associated with the procedure and how would he or she handle them?

A good facial plastic surgeon will patiently and confidently answer these questions for you. A doctor that does not welcome your questions should raise a red flag.

Request to see before and after pictures of other patients who have received the same surgery. Confirm that these are pictures of actual patients and not stock photos or promotional photos provided by the product manufacturer. Make sure you are happy with the results and comfortable with the doctor.

Look for a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Board Certification is a process that takes several years of education, specialized training, rigorous testing, and valid experience. Board certification demonstrates that a facial plastic surgeon has a commitment to excellence – something you should demand from a surgeon you are entrusting with your face, head, and neck – a highly complex area of the human body.

Choosing the right facial plastic surgeon takes time, but it is well worth the effort. Don't be intimidated by the interviewing process. You are in control. Do not allow yourself to be rushed into getting a procedure or working with a doctor that makes you uncomfortable.

As an accredited plastic surgeon, my approach is to restore natural looking beauty. To schedule your personal consultation call Dr. Karsan an ethical plastic surgeon at 214-646-8777.