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Gather
Names
From friends, doctors, nurses, hospitals, the ASPS
hotline (1-800-635-0635), special directories,
and advertisements.
Check
Credentials
Training:
Have they completed an accredited residency program
specifically in plastic surgery?
Board
Certification:
Are they certified by the American Board of Plastic
Surgery (ABPS)? The ABPS requires graduation from
an accredited medical school and completion of 5 years
of additional residency, as well as 2
years of professional plastic surgery experience and
passing of comprehensive written and oral exams.
Hospital
Privileges:
Do they have privileges to perform your specific procedure
at an accredited hospital in this area?
Experience:
Do they perform the procedure frequently or only occasionally,
and when did they last perform that procedure?
Membership
in Professional Societies:
Some are more meaningful than others - get the exact
name of the society and call to find out what the
requirements are for membership.
Schedule
Initial Consultations
After narrowing list to 2 or 3 physicians, visit each
for initial consultations (note: you'll probably have
to pay for these).
| • |
Do
they answer your questions thoroughly? |
| • |
Do
they discuss your motivations and expectations? |
| • |
Do
they offer alternatives, when appropriate? |
| • |
Do they welcome questions about professional qualifications,
experience, cost and payment policies? |
| • |
Do
they make clear the risks of surgery and possible
variations in outcome? |
| • |
Do
they make sure the final decision is yours? |
From
the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
FINANCING AVAILABLE
Ralph M. Rosato, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Fellowship trained in plastic and reconstuctive surgery
at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
and the American Board of Surgery, with Certificate
of Added Qualifications in Hand Surgery
LINKS
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