In my last post, I began discussing what to look for when choosing the right cosmetic surgeon. Here’s another tip that I think will help the nervous cosmetic patient come to the right decision.

Ask your doctor this simple question: “Doctor, what do you think you’re good at, and what do you think you’re not good at?“ This is something that patients hardly ever ask, but it’s such an important thing to ask about!

No doctor is equally good at every procedure. If a doctor is incredibly good at breast augmentation procedures, that’s not proof that he’s equally good at a blepharoplasty. And if a doctor feels that he is not very good at facial procedures, he should not be the one giving you a facelift!

I personally will be very blunt with my patients: there are several areas that I’m incredibly good at, and there are a couple other areas that I’m not as good at. For those procedures, I will refer my patients to another doctor. And from what I can tell, patients seem to appreciate my honesty. But frankly, it’s a no brainer: I will do procedures that I’m good at, and that’s where I draw the line.

Unfortunately, some plastic surgeons do not have the same philosophy. Especially if a cosmetic doctor is having a slow month, he may perform a procedure he’s not normally known for. That is why, as a patient, you should ask where the doctor’s strengths and weaknesses lie as a cosmetic surgeon.

Wishing you good health,
Dr. John A. Millard