When consulting with a doctor about your surgery, ask for credentials specific to the surgery you want done. You are fully entitled to know where he received his training, how long ago it was, and how much applicable work experience he's gained since then. You must also ask for pictures of patients in which he has helped.
If the reason for your surgery is anything other than cosmetic aesthetics, you might call it reconstructive instead of cosmetic. Although reconstructive surgery is the same as cosmetic surgery, the term has less of a negative stigma attached to it.
Make sure that your surgeon has malpractice insurance for your financial safety. This can have a huge impact on you if your procedure develops complications; a proper insurance policy will protect you from unfair out-of-pocket expenses. Don't use a surgeon who doesn't have proper insurance. It's not only illegal for doctors not to carry malpractice insurance, but doctors who don't may be subject to high premiums because of past problems.
With any potential plastic surgeon, you should take the time to review their track record with the procedures in question. Learn how familiar they are with the procedure you are having done, and ask to see before and after photos of past patients. There are never guarantees when it comes to plastic surgery, but you can improve your odds by weeding out bad surgeons.
While you don't want to compromise final results by economizing your cosmetic surgery, there are legitimate ways to reduce the costs involved. Many foreign countries have surgeons that are reputable and charge less than those in the United States. This won't be an option for everybody, but it's something worth looking into.
Plastic surgery is not a new medical field but the technology used has improved over time, making it safer and more popular. The widespread acceptance of such procedures makes finding doctors easy, but it is also important to gain a thorough understanding of potential procedures and what types of doctors are best suited to perform them. Use this information to help make the choices regarding your surgical procedure.
