Red Flags When Choosing Your Plastic Surgeon (and Why Losing a Deposit Can Be Worth It)
Updated: 7 hours ago
Oye, reina (hey, queen), I'm going to say something that might sting: losing a deposit is cheaper than losing your health.
If your gut is screaming that something's off about your surgeon or clinic, it's okay to walk away, even after you've paid. Here are the red flags I've seen over twenty years of caring for women after surgery.
Red flags when choosing your plastic surgeon
Not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Lots of doctors call themselves "board-certified cosmetic surgeons," but that can mean a different, less rigorous board. Ask exactly which board.
No hospital privileges. If a local hospital won't let them do the procedure there, ask why.
An unaccredited surgical facility. Ask if the operating room is accredited.
Unclear anesthesia. You want a board-certified anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, not a vague answer.
Pressure to book now. "This week only" pricing is a sales tactic, not medicine.
Too many surgeries a day. Ask how many cases they do, and where you fall on the schedule.
No talk about complications. Every surgeon has complications. A good one tells you how they handle them.
No real aftercare plan. If they can't tell you who answers the phone at 10 p.m. on a Sunday, ojo (watch out).
Only filtered before-and-afters. Social media shows a surgeon's best 5%, never the average.
Green flags
Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Takes time in your consult and answers every question
Tells you no when something isn't safe or realistic
Has a written pre-op and post-op protocol
A kind, reachable team before and after your deposit
La verdad (the truth) is, how a clinic treats you before your deposit clears is the best it will ever treat you.
Here's your chisme for today: look up your surgeon on your state medical board's website before you pay anything. Créeme (believe me), five minutes there can save you a lifetime of regret.
The full vetting guide
Chapter 2 of Snatched and Swollen, The Vetting Game, walks you through consults, credentials, contracts, and the clues most women miss. Vale la pena (it's worth it).
Planning surgery in Sacramento?
A pre-op massage is highly recommended to help your body go into surgery calm and ready, and I'd love to be part of your recovery team after.
I'm a Certified Massage Therapist (CAMTC No. 39170), not a doctor. This post is for education, not medical advice. Always do your own research when choosing a surgeon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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