Plastic Surgeon Serving North Andover, Boston, Haverhill, MA - Nashua, Salem, Manchester, NH & Nearby Areas
If you are considering cosmetic surgery, you should schedule a consultation and ask lots of questions to learn more about the surgeon. You're entrusting your body and your safety to your surgeon, so it's important to find a qualified, experienced one.
By scheduling a consultation with Dr. Chatson, you can learn more about his qualifications and training. You can also ask about our fully accredited surgical facility, and about all aspects of the surgical procedure you are planning for.
Questions you should ask prospective cosmetic surgeons include:
Are you board certified?
There are many different medical boards who certify doctors, and you should find out if your cosmetic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification shows your surgeon has demonstrated exceeding competence and experience in his or her field. To get board certified by the ABPS, a surgeon must have:
- Graduated from an accredited medical school
- Completed at least five years of residency training as a surgeon, two years of which must have been concentrated in plastic surgery
- Passed the intensive examinations of the ABPS
Ask the surgeon you are considering if he or she is board-certified, and if so, by which board? The ABPS is the recognized plastic surgery board of the American Board of Medical Specialties. Dr. Chatson is a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Where will my cosmetic surgery be performed?
If your cosmetic surgeon performs procedures at a hospital, ask which one. If the procedures are performed at an ambulatory surgery center or an in-office surgical center, make sure the facility is accredited. There is no requirement for state accreditation, but accreditation means the facility has met high standards for safety and quality of care. Ask whether the facility is:
- Accredited by a state agency
- Accredited by a federal agency, such as AAAASF
- Medicare certified
- State licensed
Any of these accreditations means the facility meets high standards Dr. Chatson performs plastic surgery at accredited surgical facilities.
How frequently do you perform this procedure?
Experience is important. You want a surgeon who has performed the procedure many times before, preferably for many years. This surgeon knows what to expect during surgery, and how to tailor the procedure to your body and your cosmetic goals. At the very least, your surgeon's job should be plastic surgery, not a different specialty.
What are the risks of this surgery, and how will you handle a complication if it does occur?
There are risks inherent to all surgeries, and there are also complications possible with every plastic surgery procedure. Oftentimes, these risks can be minimized, and you should ask your surgeon what the possible complications are and how he or she plans to prevent them. In the unlikely event a surgical complication arises, you and your family members should know what hospital you will be taken to. You should also know how the surgeon will handle any post-operative complications that could arise in the days and weeks following surgery.
If you are searching for an experienced cosmetic surgeon in or nearby Andover, Massachusetts, please contact George P. Chatson, M.D., online or call 978-687-1151. For service in Manchester, Salem, or other areas in New Hampshire, please call 603-882-2103 to reach our Nashua office.
