How to Find the Best Plastic Surgeon Near You

It’s completely normal to want to improve how you look. But successful plastic surgery begins with realistic expectations.

Cosmetic surgery should help you feel refreshed and balanced. It’s not about looking like a celebrity or a filtered photo. Plastic surgery is real surgery and has real risks and complications. That is why careful decision-making is very important.

“The goal with elective plastic surgery should be to help you look like a refreshed, more confident version of yourself,” says Dr. Pacella says. “For an ethical plastic surgeon, a patient seeking a ‘perfect’ or flawless selfie can be a red flag.”

Interest in plastic surgery remains strong. Today’s trends reflect a broader shift toward:

• Subtle, natural-looking enhancements
• Preventative facial procedures
• Combination surgical and non-surgical treatments
• Personalized treatment planning using advanced imaging tools

“Patients are increasingly prioritizing long-term results, safety and the expertise of the surgeon over dramatic transformations,” Dr. Pacella says.

Plastic surgeons at Scripps Clinic are board-certified, trained to perform many cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, including procedures for the face, body and skin. These include rhinoplasty (nose job), blepharoplasty (eye lift) and facelift. They also perform breast augmentation, tummy tucks and liposuction.

Keep the following guidelines in mind to help you find a plastic surgeon who is qualified to perform the cosmetic procedure that you want.

Your primary concern as a patient — and the primary concern of ethical surgeons as well — is safety. The chance of problems is low when a skilled plastic surgeon and a qualified anesthesia provider perform the surgery. The procedure should take place in a nationally accredited facility.

“You should never compromise safety in the name of cost or convenience,” Dr. Pacella says.

One of the most important steps is to make sure your surgeon is board-certified. Check if they are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties for certification in plastic surgery.

Board-certified plastic surgeons must complete:

• Medical school
• At least six years of surgical training
• A minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training
• Rigorous written and oral board examinations

Check if your surgeon is a member of professional organizations, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which represents the majority of board-certified plastic surgeons. The Aesthetic Society is another organization whose members specialize in aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body.

“These memberships reflect peer evaluation not just for the number of cases a surgeon has performed, but for the quality of their work as well as their surgical judgment and ethics,” Dr. Pacella says.

Experience matters. “Find a plastic surgeon who does the procedure you are interested in on a regular basis,” Dr. Pacella says.

Ask your surgeon:

• How long they have performed the procedure you want
• How often they perform it each year
• Whether it is a primary focus of their practice

Ask where the procedure will take place. Make sure the facility is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. This is the largest accrediting organization for office-based surgery. You can also look for other approved accrediting organizations.

 In addition:

• Anesthesia should be administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
• Your surgeon should have hospital privileges and a transfer agreement in place if needed

These safeguards are essential, even for office-based procedures.

Before any cosmetic procedure, schedule a consultation — virtual options may be available.

Evaluate the staff. Are they friendly and helpful? Do they answer questions and make you feel comfortable? What is your surgeon’s bedside manner like?

When you meet with your surgeon, pay attention to see if they discuss the pros and cons of the surgery.

Your surgeon should explain what to expect. This includes bruising, scarring, recovery time and possible complications. Don’t forget to ask about all costs involved.

Also look at before-and-after photos of patients with similar features and goals. Remember, no two people will have the same results. While computer imaging is helpful, it cannot show exactly what your final result will be.

A good plastic surgeon will thoroughly evaluate if you are a good candidate. They may advise against surgery if it is not in your best interest.

“Beyond your reasons for wanting a procedure, factors, such as physical health, mindset, expectations and willingness to follow pre- and post-operative instructions all play a role in determining whether you are a good candidate,” Dr. Pacella says. “An ethical surgeon will recommend against surgery when it’s not in the patient’s best interest.”

Plastic surgery is not a commodity. Choosing a surgeon based solely on the lowest price or promotional discounts can put your health and safety at risk.

“While complications can occur with any surgeon, we’ve seen far too many patients risks their health by choosing a provider based on the lowest price or steep discount, which can result in tragic consequences,” Dr. Pacella says.

Patients who travel outside the country for plastic surgery may also have limited options for follow-up care or legal recourse if something goes wrong.

It’s important to be careful with advertising claims and dramatic before-and-after photos. Ethical surgeons are careful about the promises they make and the images they show. If an offer or outcome seems too good to be true, it often is.