Hi, girls it’s Ella again.
When you enroll for a cosmetic procedure, you want to have a good result and you don’t want problems. These are related but separate issues. To get a good result requires a skillful operator. For technically demanding procedures, and seemingly simple procedures can be technically demanding, that means a physician. I’m not by any means saying that all physicians do a good job or that no non-physicians do a good job, just that your odds are better with a physician. Most physicians have a reputation that you can inquire about. Non-physicians tend to be known by the institution with which they’re affiliated, and there tends to be more turnover.
There is general agreement that the core specialties dealing with cosmetic procedures are dermatology, facioplastic surgery (ear, nose and throat subspecialty), opthalmoplastic (opthalmology subspecialty) and plastic surgery. When you go to one of these specialists you’re more likely to find someone who is more attuned to cosmetic procedures, and their appropriate use, then if you go to see a physician who trained in an area totally unrelated to cosmetic procedures. It is my feeling, backed up by a limited number of direct observations, that these physicians were attracted to the area by possible financial opportunities rather than a true interest or aptitude for the field.
Another consideration is that in even the simplest procedures, things can go wrong. Not only do you want someone who will fully inform you of the risks, but you want someone who you feel can appropriately handle any problems that might occur.
Reputation and standing in the community is very important. Anyone reputable should be willing to provide former patients you can talk to.
In the final analysis there are no easy answers to this question, but the guidelines I’ve given can mprove your odds.
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