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Dr
Victor Zielinski FRACS | |
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Plastic
& Reconstructive Surgeon Member Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons | All
Appointmnets: Ph: 02 9630 6433 |
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Dr
Victor Zielinski FRACS | |
|
Plastic
& Reconstructive Surgeon Member Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons | All
Appointmnets: Ph: 02 9630 6433 |
| |
If you’re considering plastic surgery...
The term "plastic" comes from the Greek word "plastikos," meaning to mould or give form. Plastic surgery does just that-it gives new form to the human body. The specialty includes two kinds of procedures: reconstructive surgery, or procedures done to repair birth defects and deformities caused by accidents or disease, and cosmetic or aesthetic surgery, including facelifts, nose reshaping, fat suction, and other procedures done to enhance appearance.
No matter what type of plastic surgery you’re considering, the most important factor in its success is the surgeon you choose.
How can you find a well-trained, qualified, experienced plastic surgeon?
This information can help you make an informed choice. It was prepared by the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), a professional society dedicated to quality care for plastic surgery patients through education, research, and the promotion of high professional standards.
In choosing a plastic surgeon, your first goal is to develop a list of good candidates.
Friends: If you know someone who’s had a procedure like the one you’re considering, talk to him or her about it. But don’t decide on a surgeon based on one friend’s experience. Every patient is unique, and so is every surgery; your results might be quite different from your friend’s.
Your family doctor may be able to recommend a plastic surgeon. Ask your doctor how many patients he or she has referred to this surgeon, and what feedback they offered later. Ask whether the doctor would send a family member to this plastic surgeon.
Nurses: If you know an operating room nurse-or if you know someone who knows one-you can probably get a well-informed opinion on surgeons he or she has worked with.
Hospitals: Call a respected hospital in your community and ask for the names of board-certified plastic surgeons on staff. Be sure to ask for the names of doctors who have privileges (official approval) to do the particular procedure you’re considering.
ASPS: The Plastic Surgery Information Service of the ASPS is an excellent source of names. Simply call 02 9437 9200 and leave your name, address, and the procedure you’re interested in. We’ll send you the names of plastic surgeons in your area who perform that procedure. Their membership in the ASPS means they’re members of Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and are Fellows of the Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and members of the recognised plastic surgery specialty organisation in the Australia. You can show this list to a doctor you trust and ask if he or she has any recommendations. You can also check the list against the one you may have received from the hospital.
Paid advertising: You can find plenty of doctors names in the yellow pages and other advertising sources. But keep in mind that doctors can list themselves under any specialty heading they like, and can advertise any services they want to sell, regardless of their training and credentials. (Exceptions are group listings sponsored by the ASPS. Similarly, doctors quoted in newspaper and magazine stories may or may not be qualified "experts."
Once you’ve compiled a list of several doctors, you can start checking their credentials. While good credentials can’t guarantee you a successful outcome, they can significantly increase the odds. You can obtain the following information from the directories mentioned above, hospitals and professional societies, and the surgeon’s office.
Training: More important than where your surgeon went to school is the type of training he or she received.
Has the surgeon completed an accredited training program specifically in plastic surgery? Such a program includes four years of intensive training in the full spectrum of reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. While your plastic surgeon may choose to concentrate on a limited number of procedures, this comprehensive background gives a solid foundation to his or her skills.
Hospital privileges: Even if your surgery will be performed in the doctor’s own surgical facility, he or she should have privileges to perform that procedure at an accredited hospital in your community. It means the surgeon is subject to approval by a body of his or her peers. Call the hospital to make sure.
Experience: Although there’s no magic number (of years or procedures) that defines "experience," you should feel comfortable that the surgeon you choose is well versed and up-to-date in the procedure you’re considering. You can ask the surgeons on your list if they do the procedure frequently or only occasionally, and when they last performed that procedure.
Professional societies: Physicians may belong to a wide array of professional societies, but some are more meaningful than others. If a doctor tells you he or she belongs to a particular society, get the exact name and call the society to find out what the requirements for membership are. Of the societies representing plastic surgeons, the most demanding-and by far the largest-is the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Its members must be qualified surgeons FRACS and reviewed by their peers. They must also participate in continuing education and adhere to a strict code of ethics.
If you’ve narrowed your list down to two or three surgeons, you might want to visit them all for an initial consultation. That way you can compare their personalities, their opinions on the type of surgery you should have, their fees, and the way they answer your questions and explain the risks involved. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll have to pay for these consultations, whether or not you choose that surgeon.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how trivial or how personal you think they’ll sound. In fact, it’s a good idea to write down your questions before hand, so you won’t forget any of them, and to make a note of the surgeon’s answers as well.
Here are a few general things to look for in the interview:
If you’ve obtained your surgeon’s name from a good source, checked his or her credentials, are satisfied with your initial consultation, and have realistic expectations for the surgery, chances are very good that you’ll be happy with the outcome of your plastic surgery.
A Consumer Checklist
Good Recommendation:
Incomplete:
Warning - be aware of a surgeon who:
Australian Society of
Plastic Surgeons
33-35 Atchison St., St Leonards
NSW 2065
tel : 02-9437 9200
fax : 02-9437 9210
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