If you are planning to have plastic surgery, there are so many considerations to make. Should you have the surgery within the United States or travel overseas to countries such as Brazil, Italy, or Japan? If you decide to have your procedure within the US (as most patients choose to), which city is ideal. Are you okay with traveling to another part of the state or do you prefer the convenience of getting treatment close to home? These are just a few of the many things that you need to think about. In this post, we look at some of the key factors that you should put into account when determining your plastic surgery location.
Availability of plastic surgeons
The number of plastic surgeons available within the United States has increased dramatically over the last few years. Techniques have improved and patients can choose from a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive treatments. More likely than not, there is a plastic surgeon in your city or town who is equipped and experienced enough to get the job done. But this is not always the case. Start by performing an internet search to assess the availability of plastic surgery specialists in your town or city. Do you see numerous competing listings of plastic surgeons? Then that is a good sign. If you are only getting one surgeon showing up in your area, then you may want to expand your search coordinates to compare and make sure that you settle on the right pair of hands.
Specialized skills
Even if there are numerous, seasoned plastic surgeons in your town or city, you may need specialized treatments such as those that require microsurgery skills. If this is the case, you want to make sure that you find the right surgeon for the job. You may have to expand your research area to cover the entire state and sometimes even neighboring states. The key is to conduct thorough research to understand what is required of your procedure then find a surgeon who has successfully performed this type of treatment on numerous patients before. Check out online review platforms and browse through before and after photos to get an impression of what a specific plastic surgeon can achieve before you engage them.
Cost of the procedure
Cost is another important factor when determining the location of your plastic surgery. Some cities may be more expensive for procedures because of increased demand. Experienced surgeons also tend to be more expensive regardless of their location. If you are looking to travel out of state or even out of the country for your treatment, keep in mind that you may need to incur hefty travel and hospitality expenses. A key idea is to find the best surgeon for the job as close as possible to your area of residence as possible.
Location convenience
Convenience is an important factor when evaluating plastic surgery locations. If you are currently stationed in your home, then it may be more convenient to work with a plastic surgeon in your city as opposed to traveling to a different state. If you are on an extended vacation in a foreign country, then it may be more convenient to have the procedure there so you can travel back home with a renewed sense of self. It all depends on where you are and what works best for you.
Compatibility
More often than not, working with a plastic surgeon in your city or state is beneficial. If they are experienced enough, then they have worked with countless other patients and might be able to better translate your needs and requirements, and expectations into the results you want. This might not be the case when you receive your treatment in a foreign country where language barriers may cause some of your requirements to be lost in translation. Make sure that before you give the go-ahead, you are absolutely sure that your surgical team understands your needs in a clear language. If you have any doubts or reservations, then it may be best to wait until you can work with a surgeon who makes you feel at home and seems to clearly grasp your needs.
Conclusion
As a rule of the thumb, always work with a seasoned plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), or equivalent certifying organizations if you are located in another country outside the US.