Before you select a cosmetic surgeon in Aurora IL, you will want to ensure they are the best. To do this, you should consider asking him or her a few questions that will help you understand more about the surgeon and his practice.
Is the doctor a member of the ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)?
Ensuring the doctor performing the surgery is a member of ASAPS means that he is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The doctor has also met other requirements deemed necessary by the ASAPS. These requirements include continuing education and experience in cosmetic surgery.
Is the doctor certified by the ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgery)?
Many surgeons claim to be board certified. However, there are many boards that will certify a surgeon but only the ABPS is recognized by the ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties) and you will definitely want a surgeon recognized by the ABMS.
What hospital privileges does the surgeon have?
Many of the surgical procedures performed by cosmetic surgeons are done in the doctor’s office or a surgical facility, which is completely safe. However, in some cases the surgeon will also have operating privileges in a hospital that is accredited for the procedure you want to have performed. You may not want to go to the hospital for the procedure, but knowing that the surgeon has these privileges means that the hospital has evaluated the surgeon’s competency and training for those procedures.
Is the office-based facility accredited?
Whether you use the office of the doctor or an ambulatory surgical facility, it should be accredited. Many states do not currently require these facilities to be accredited. Those states that don’t need accreditation will still accept voluntary applications that are made to the accrediting body, as the American Assoc. for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery (AAAASF). Facilities that are accredited by the AAAASF require stricter requirements for operation and means you will receive a higher standard of care.
For doctors that are ASAPS members, there are set rules that are now in effect whenever anything other than local anesthesia is required. The doctor must work in a facility that is accredited by a state-recognized accrediting organization or a national one, be Medicare-certified or be state licensed. This law went into effect in 2002 and is meant to keep patients safer and give them better care.
