How to Find an FACS Plastic Surgeon

Whether you have been injured and need cosmetic surgery to restore your appearance or you simply want to improve your natural looks, you should choose a qualified plastic surgeon to perform the operation. One way to ensure that a plastic surgeon has the proper qualifications is to choose one who is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). You can find this information by taking some simple research steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Search the FACS database to get a list of FACS plastic surgeons in your area by visting the website or calling them at 312-202-5236. Whether you call or search online, you will be able to narrow down your search by the Plastic Surgery specialty, and you will get a list of appropriate FACS plastic surgeons in your geographic area.

2. If your plastic surgery procedure will be covered by your insurance company, check the list of preferred providers against your list of FACS surgeons. Although most cosmetic surgeries must be paid for out of pocket, an insurer will pay for certain operations to correct problems caused by a medical condition. For example, if a dog bites you in the face, the insurer will often pay for plastic surgery to minimize the scarring. Narrow down your list based on your insurer's preferred provider directory.

3. Call your regular doctor and ask him if he recommends any of the specific doctors on your list. He may be familiar with some of them and may even have experience working with them. This will help you narrow down your list of FACS plastic surgeons even further.

4. Call the FACS plastic surgeons on your narrowed-down list to find out whether they are are accepting new patients. If they are, ask how long it will take to get an appointment. The wait for some popular FACS plastic surgeons can be several weeks.

5. Make a consultation appointment with two or three of the FACS plastic surgeons who are accepting new patients and who can see you within a reasonable time. This in-person consultation will help you make the final choice of a doctor to perform your surgery. Choose the doctor who makes you feel most comfortable and who offers a realistic assessment of the operation, recovery, and expected results. If you are paying for the surgery out of pocket, the doctor's prices and payment options will also play a role in your choice.

Tips & Warnings

• Although being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons gives you some assurance of quality and training, that doesn't mean that plastic surgeons who are not Fellows are necessarily less qualified. The ACS says that while some plastic surgeons are not accepted as Fellows, others simply choose not to apply even though they might be qualified.

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