Is your physician board certified? Have you checked? A recent USA Today article took a hard look at the field of plastic surgery, and uncovered practitioners who misrepresented themselves as plastic surgeons. One was an oral surgeon and another OB/GYN. Would you want either of those to be doing your tummy tuck or Botox injections?

It has never been more important to check the credentials of your doctor, to ensure patient safety. In Florida, three women recently lost their lives at the hands of ill-trained practitioners, all lured in by cheap prices.

Make sure your doctor is board-certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

As far as where your procedure will be done, cosmetic surgery can safely be performed in a hospital, a surgicenter or an office-based surgical facility--just make certain that your facility is accredited.

Ask questions. Find out about follow-up visits, possible complications, and the doctor’s policy for revisions, so you can get results you’ll be happy with.

Get the facts before the surgery, not after. And make sure that your physician is board certified.

File under: News» News and Trends