Choosing the best plastic surgeon
There is no official ranking of plastic surgeons. The best surgeon for you is certified in plastic surgery, licensed in good standing, experienced in your procedure, operates in an accredited facility and can show results on patients like you. Use this checklist with every surgeon you meet.
What to check before you choose a plastic surgeon
Eleven checks in three groups. Use the same list for every surgeon you meet. The best one for you is the one who meets every point.
4 checks
Credentials you can verify online
Check these from home in a few minutes, before you book a consultation.
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Why it matters. The board certifies surgeons who completed a plastic surgery residency and passed written and oral exams covering the full specialty. Some doctors say “board certified” without naming the board, or hold a certificate from a board outside plastic surgery.
How to check
Search the surgeon’s name in the board’s free certification lookup.
A medical license in good standing
Why it matters. A license lets a doctor practice medicine in your state, and the state board keeps a record of any discipline, probation or restrictions.
How to check
Look up the surgeon on your state medical board’s website.
Training in plastic surgery itself
Why it matters. In most states, any licensed physician can legally perform cosmetic surgery. A plastic surgeon has spent years of residency operating on the face, breast and body.
How to check
Ask where the surgeon completed plastic surgery training, and read the training history on the practice’s website.
A member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Why it matters. Members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, operate only in accredited facilities, follow a code of ethics and complete continuing education in plastic surgery.
How to check
Search the society’s free Find a Surgeon directory.
3 checks
Proof of skill
Credentials open the door. Experience, results and patient feedback show what a surgeon can do for you.
Experience with your procedure
Why it matters. Skill grows with repetition. A surgeon who performs your procedure often knows how to plan it for different bodies and how to handle the unexpected.
How to check
Ask how often the surgeon performs your procedure and how long they have been performing it.
Before and after photos of their own patients
Why it matters. Photos show a surgeon’s skill and sense of proportion better than any description can.
How to check
Ask for results on patients whose age, body type and goals are close to yours, and confirm they are the surgeon’s own patients.
Reviews from real patients
Why it matters. Reviews show how a practice treats people before and after surgery, not only in the operating room.
How to check
Read reviews on independent sites such as Google and Yelp, and look for patterns rather than a single comment.
4 checks
Safety and care
Ask about these at your consultation. A careful practice answers them plainly.
An accredited surgical facility
Why it matters. Accredited operating rooms meet outside standards for safety, equipment and staffing. Hospitals also review a surgeon’s training before granting privileges.
How to check
Ask where your surgery will take place, which organization accredits it and which hospitals the surgeon is affiliated with.
Qualified anesthesia care
Why it matters. Anesthesia care is a large part of your safety on surgery day.
How to check
Ask what type of anesthesia you will have, who will provide it and how you will be monitored.
A consultation without pressure
Why it matters. A good surgeon examines you, explains the risks and recovery plainly and recommends only what your body needs.
How to check
Meet more than one surgeon if you like. You should never feel pushed to book or pay on the spot.
A clear plan for aftercare
Why it matters. Follow-up visits catch problems early and shape how well you heal.
How to check
Ask who you will see after surgery, how often, what follow-up visits cost and who to call at night.
How our surgeon checks every mark
Hold every surgeon to the same standard, including ours. Here is how our surgeon meets each point, so you can compare for yourself.
Checked: Board certification
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
Checked: Plastic surgery training
Five years of general surgery training at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital Center, then three years of plastic surgery training at Duke University, serving as chief resident at both.
Read the full training historyChecked: Society membership
Active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.
View the ASPS member profile (opens in a new tab)Checked: Experience and leadership
Plastic surgery of the breast, body and face. Former President of the Orange County Society of Plastic Surgeons and Vice-Chairman of Plastic Surgery at Hoag Memorial Hospital.
Checked: Patient photos
A before and after gallery of his own patients, with results also shown in national publications from Playboy to Glamour.
See the photo galleryChecked: Accredited facilities
Surgery in fully state-accredited operating rooms or the hospital, with affiliations including Hoag Memorial Hospital.
Checked: Anesthesia
Experienced anesthesiologists who are board certified in anesthesiology.
Checked: Patient reviews
22 patient reviews from Yelp and Google, published in full.
Read patient reviewsChecked: Consultation
You talk candidly about the procedure you want and receive a physical exam, then hear the care before and after surgery, the possible risks and complications, and the fees. Virtual consultations by FaceTime and Skype are available.
What to expectChecked: Aftercare
All post-operative visits and yearly follow-ups are free of charge.
Warning signs to watch for
If you notice any of these at a consultation, slow down and get a second opinion.
“Board certified” with no board named
Ask which board. For plastic surgery, the answer should be the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Training in a different specialty
If residency was in another field, ask how the doctor trained for your procedure and where they operate.
Discipline on the medical license
If the state board lists probation or restrictions, read the details before you go further.
Pressure to book today
Same-day deposits, expiring deals and hard sells put the sale ahead of your decision.
No photos of their own patients
Stock images or a handful of results tell you little about what the surgeon can do for you.
Vague answers about where surgery happens
If the office can’t name the facility and who accredits it, keep looking.
A firm price before an exam
Surgery is planned for one body. An honest quote follows a consultation and a physical exam.
Promises of perfect results
Every surgery has scars, recovery and risks. A careful surgeon explains them plainly.
Questions to ask at your consultation
Bring these to every surgeon you meet. Clear, specific answers are a good sign. Vague ones deserve a follow-up.
Schedule a consultation- Which board certifies you in plastic surgery?
- Where did you complete your plastic surgery training?
- Is your medical license in good standing in this state?
- How often do you perform the procedure I want?
- Can I see before and after photos of patients with goals like mine?
- Where will my surgery take place, and who accredits the facility?
- Which hospitals are you affiliated with?
- What type of anesthesia will I have, and who will provide it?
- What are the risks, and how are complications handled?
- What will my recovery look like, and when can I return to work and exercise?
- What does my fee include, and are follow-up visits included?
- Who do I call if I have a concern after surgery?
Choosing a surgeon, your questions answered
Bring your checklist to a consultation in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach or New York, or meet by FaceTime or Skype.
Who is the best plastic surgeon?
The best plastic surgeon for you is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, holds a medical license in good standing, performs your procedure often, operates in an accredited facility and can show results on patients like you. There is no official ranking, so compare every surgeon you meet against the same checklist.
How do I check if a plastic surgeon is board certified?
Search the surgeon’s name in the American Board of Plastic Surgery’s free certification lookup at abplasticsurgery.org. Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons are also certified by that board.
Is a cosmetic surgeon the same as a plastic surgeon?
Not always. Surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery completed a plastic surgery residency and passed the board’s exams. No board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties certifies doctors in “cosmetic surgery,” so ask any surgeon which board certifies them.
How do I check a surgeon’s medical license?
Search your state’s license records. In California, use the Medical Board of California’s license search at mbc.ca.gov. In New York, use the State Education Department’s online verification search. California profiles also list disciplinary actions.
Should I meet with more than one surgeon?
You can, and you are never obligated to book with a surgeon you consult. Meeting more than one surgeon lets you compare their answers, their photos and how comfortable you feel.
What should I ask at a plastic surgery consultation?
Ask which board certifies the surgeon, where they trained in plastic surgery, how often they perform your procedure, to see before and after photos of patients like you, where surgery takes place and who accredits it, who provides anesthesia, what recovery looks like and what your fee includes.
Is your surgeon board certified?
Yes. Our surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.
Can I have a consultation without traveling?
Yes. Virtual consultations by FaceTime and Skype are available. Request one in the message field of the contact form, or visit the offices in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach or New York.
Are follow-up visits included after surgery?
Yes. All post-operative visits and yearly follow-ups are free of charge to our patients.