How do you choose a plastic surgeon?

In this article, we tell you all about important factors to look out for when choosing the best plastic surgeon. We will also tell you about some 'mistakes' you should definitely avoid and make a checklist of the 9 most important points to look out for when choosing your plastic surgeon.

What you absolutely need to know about the difference between plastic surgeons before you go under the knife.

All plastic surgeons have degrees in both reconstructive surgery, hand surgery and aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery. Then, that is, after graduating as a plastic surgeon, they go on to specialise with further training in one of these 3 branches of plastic surgery.

Some surgeons choose reconstructive specialisation (branch 1), others focus on hand specialisation (branch 2) and the third group further specialises in aesthetic plastic surgery treatments (branch 3).

A fourth group of plastic surgeons (umbrella branch) do not specialise and remain all-round, thus doing a bit of everything.

Who is the best plastic surgeon in Belgium and the Netherlands? A guide to easily compare plastic surgeons.

Understanding these differences can help in making the right choice for certain procedures or treatments.

Is the surgeon full-time in aesthetics?

Do you desire aesthetic treatment, such as breast augmentation, facelift, rhinoplasty or other cosmetic treatment? Choose a plastic surgeon who is 100% dedicated to the specialty of cosmetic, aesthetic surgery. After all, something you want to do well is something you do every day. You only have experience if you do it every day.

Is the clinic a specialised focus clinic?

Plastic surgeons who specialise in aesthetic procedures usually work in a private clinic. Go for a plastic surgeon with specialisation in the cosmetic treatment you want. The other 2 groups of plastic surgeons (reconstructive plastic surgeons and hand surgeons) usually work in a general hospital, treating sick patients.

Group 4 is the all-rounder plastic surgeon: If the plastic surgeon works both in a hospital and in a private clinic, he or she is usually not super-specialised in one of the above 3 branches, and we call him or her an all-rounder. These plastic surgeons usually have less experience and expertise in a specific cosmetic procedure than the super-specialised plastic surgeons.

What training does a good aesthetic plastic surgeon have?

After completing basic plastic surgery training, plastic surgeons can choose to further specialise in aesthetic plastic surgery by attending a specialisation fellowship programme, such as Wellness Kliniek Belgium's super-specialisation Fellowship programme. These programmes offer advanced training in cosmetic surgery and enable young plastic surgeons to learn about specific techniques and procedures within the field of cosmetic plastic surgery. You can usually check your plastic surgeon's training through the clinic's website.

Choosing hospital or private clinic? Read this before choosing.

There are several reasons why a plastic surgeon specialising in aesthetic surgery often works in a private clinic rather than a general hospital. These reasons are both related to the nature of aesthetic surgery and the benefits that private clinics offer to both patients and surgeons.

Focus on expert plastic surgeons and technology: Private clinics that focus on aesthetic surgery often have the latest technologies and equipment at their disposal because they focus specifically on offering these services and are willing to invest in the best tools available.

The better clinics select full-time, and thus specialised, aesthetic plastic surgeons and demonstrate quality of care and patient satisfaction and good results with an official quality label, such as ISO 9001.

• Specialisation and focus on quality: Private clinics that focus on aesthetic surgery are specialised and fully dedicated to cosmetic procedures. This means that both staff and facilities are specifically designed and equipped for aesthetic treatments, which can lead to higher quality care and better results.
• Personal attention and more privacy: Aesthetic surgery is often very personal and patients appreciate the increased privacy and personal attention that a private clinic can offer. Unlike a general hospital, where patients are sick and may have a wide range of medical conditions, private clinics offer a more discreet experience, which is essential for patients undergoing cosmetic surgery.
• Flexibility and accessibility: Private clinics can usually offer more flexibility in scheduling and appointments, which is attractive to both patients and surgeons. They can respond more easily to patient needs, with shorter waiting times for both consultations and aesthetic procedures.
• Comfort and luxury: Many private clinics invest in high-quality, comfortable environments to create a more relaxed and pleasant experience for patients. This can range from the design of waiting areas to the amenities in recovery rooms, contributing to an overall more positive experience.
• Cost and reimbursement: Since aesthetic surgery is often not covered by mutual health organisations, primary health care or insurance (because it is considered non-medically necessary), patients usually pay out of pocket for these procedures. Private clinics are better equipped to serve these self-paying clients, including offering financing options.
• Safety in case of complications: a quality-labelled European private clinic ensures that the patient can be quickly and efficiently transferred to an Incentive Care unit should the need arise. So you know you are in safe hands should a complication, such as cardiac arrest, occur.

While a private clinic offers many advantages for aesthetic cosmetic surgery, it is important that you thoroughly research both the facility and the surgeons. It is best to look for clinics and surgeons with a strong reputation, relevant certifications and positive reviews from previous patients to ensure that you will receive the highest quality of care with a beautiful end result.

Who is the best aesthetic surgeon? An absolute must know before choosing one.

One of the first things to look for in an aesthetic surgeon is experience and certifications. Look for a surgeon who specialises in the type of treatment you are considering and who is a full-time practitioner specialising in aesthetic cosmetic surgery.

Wellness Kliniek is one of the largest private clinics in Europe with more than 25 years of experience. The team of surgeons and specialists consists only of professionals with the right training and certifications. Each surgeon at Wellness Kliniek has his or her own aesthetic specialism. Moreover, Wellness Kliniek has ISO 9001 quality certification and they are systematically monitored for this. So at a clinic like Wellness Kliniek, you are in safe hands.

Meet the Wellness Kliniek team

How can I check and compare a plastic surgeon's reputation and reference? A guide:

• Check your plastic surgeon's CV: A good plastic surgeon takes pride in his or her education, specialisation and work. At clinics like Wellness Kliniek, it is possible to read the Curriculum Vitae of all the surgeons treating you on the clinic's website.
• Go for a large number of reviews: It is important to research the reputation and experience of a clinic and its treating surgeon. Read reviews from previous patients. The greater the number of reviews a clinic or plastic surgeon has, the better. A clinic or plastic with experience will have hundreds of reviews or testimonials. The overall score is important, but the number of reviews is often even more important to make a good evaluation.
• Choose an independent platform: Independent review websites such as WhatClinic, Google and Trustpilot are good review platforms to compare the reputation of clinics and plastic surgeons. Read the good and the not so good reviews and decide which reviews you consider valuable.
• Verify the link of the reviews: Reviews that plastic surgeons put on their website themselves, without a link to a reliable, independent review platform such as WhatClinic, Google or Trustpilot, are usually less reliable. If there is no link to an independent review platform, ask yourself whether the patients' experiences are genuine.

Read Wellness Kliniek reviews

Remember to pay attention to these important points when choosing a plastic surgeon:

• Gut feeling after consultation: A thorough consultation is essential to find the right plastic surgeon. During the consultation, the surgeon should understand your wishes and suggest realistic treatment. The technically best surgeons are not always the best communicators. Don't go for the friendliest doctor, but choose objectively. Make sure you have a good gut feeling about the surgeon and the clinic you choose.
• Safety and hygiene: Choose a facility that meets all safety and hygiene standards. This includes using modern equipment, adhering to strict protocols and having an experienced medical team. ISO 9001 certification enforces this. It is therefore wise to choose a clinic that meets the standards of this certification, such as Wellness Kliniek.
• Price-quality ratio comparison: One of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a plastic surgeon is basing a decision solely on cost. Cheap can turn out to be expensive if it compromises the quality of care. For instance, we still hear and see horror stories of patients who went to a clinic in Turkey, Asia or Eastern Europe because of price. Surgery, even purely cosmetic, always has risks and is not always fully reversible. Choosing quality is therefore much more important than price alone.
• Don't be tricked: Moreover, we often see that while the surgery itself is offered very cheaply, patients are still shocked by a much higher bill. Costs such as anaesthetic, aftercare or VAT are often not included in the quoted price, but are necessary. Clinics or plastic surgeons with a good reputation, such as Wellness Kliniek, offer certified quality care combined with an all-in price, which includes aftercare, VAT, the anaesthetic and warranty, among others.
• Ask plenty of questions: During your consultation with the surgeon, it is important to ask plenty of questions and discuss the entire procedure. Rather ask too many questions than too few so that you can be sure of the realistic expected result. After all, that is partly the purpose of the consultation. Tell the surgeon all about your wishes and expectations so that he or she can help think about the right treatment for you.

Moreover, don't be afraid to ask about the surgeon's experience. We also definitely recommend asking about the risks and complications, as well as the expected recovery process of the procedure. At Wellness Kliniek, this is discussed as standard during your first no-obligation consultation, and recorded in a written document.

We advise you to trust your instinct and gut feeling when choosing a surgeon. If something does not feel right or if you have doubts, look further for another professional or get more information about a procedure first. It is important to have a good trusting relationship with your surgeon so that you feel completely at ease throughout the process. At Wellness Kliniek, you can request a second (free) consultation with another doctor.

How to choose the best plastic surgeon? A simple checklist:

• Checklist: The 9 most important points about what to look out for when choosing a plastic surgeon for an aesthetic treatment. This checklist will help you make an informed choice.
• Specialisation and full-time focus: Choose a plastic surgeon who is fully dedicated to aesthetic surgery. Experience and specialisation in your desired treatment (breast augmentation, facelift, rhinoplasty, etc.) are crucial for the best results.
• Working environment: clinic vs general hospital : Prefer a plastic surgeon working in a specialised clinic. These surgeons are often more experienced in specific aesthetic cosmetic procedures compared to their fellow plastic surgeons in general hospitals.
• Training and certifications: Check the surgeon's training and certifications. Besides basic plastic surgery training, a good aesthetic plastic surgeon should have undergone specialised training, such as a super-speciality fellowship.
• Technology and quality labels: Choose a clinic with the latest technologies and an officially recognised quality label. This shows that they invest in high-quality care and equipment. An ISO 9001 certificate is a good sign of quality and safety.
• Patient reviews and experiences: Read independent patient reviews. Look at the number and nature of reviews on platforms such as WhatClinic, Google and Trustpilot. Real patient experiences give a reliable picture of the clinic and surgeon.
• Personal consultation and communication: Schedule a personal consultation and assess the communication with your surgeon. During the consultation, the surgeon should understand your wishes, propose a realistic plan, and answer all questions clearly. Trust and a good gut feeling are essential.
• Safety, hygiene, and aftercare: Check the safety and hygiene standards of the clinic. Make sure they use modern equipment, follow strict protocols and have an experienced medical team. A clinic that meets ISO 9001 standards guarantees high standards.
• Price versus quality: Compare quality, not just price. A low price does not always mean a good deal, especially when it comes to your health and safety. Opt for quality and transparency in costs.
• Avoid common mistakes: Be vigilant about overly fancy promises and incomplete price quotes. Do not stare blindly at low costs that may end up being higher due to hidden costs for anaesthesia or aftercare, for example.

Choosing the best plastic surgeon is an important decision that can have a big impact on your life. Take into account the factors mentioned above on this page and avoid the common mistakes. Make sure you are sure you are in good hands to increase the chances of a successful cosmetic surgery.

Do you have questions about a procedure or how a treatment at Wellness Kliniek goes? Then get in touch and explore what is possible for you! Make the most of life and live the most beautiful and healthy version of yourself!

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