Choosing a surgeon is the most important decision you will make regarding a cosmetic surgery. The right surgeon is not just about price or a single picture. It is also about training, judgment, safety and how well they listen to you.
This guide will assist you in determining what to look for so that you can compare surgeons with confidence.
Credentials and training
Confirm where your surgeon received their training and how long they have been in practice. The amount of time spent performing the surgery you are considering can be as important as any single credential.
Dr. Whitlock received his medical training at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and has been practicing cosmetic surgery in Tulsa since 2000.
History with your specific procedure
A surgeon who frequently performs your procedure is more likely to have developed proficiency and judgment in performing the procedure for different individuals.
Ask how often they perform the procedure and request to see before and after pictures from patients with a starting point similar to yours.
Before-and-after results
Real patient pictures are one of the most honest ways to evaluate a surgeon's work. Look for natural and consistent results rather than a single dramatic result.
When evaluating photos look for patients with similar goals and body type to you.
Safety and the surgical facility
Ask where your surgery will be performed and what safety measures are in place. An accredited facility and clear plans for anesthesia and recovery are essential.
The consultation itself
A good consultation is not rushed. Your surgeon should listen to your goals, give you an honest evaluation and explain the tradeoffs instead of simply selling you a procedure.
At Whitlock Cosmetic Center, every consultation patient will meet with Dr. Whitlock personally.
Transparency and realistic expectations
A qualified surgeon should be straightforward about limitations. If something is not in your best interest you should hear this during your consultation before booking surgery.
Ask what results are realistic for your anatomy. Ask what the recovery will actually involve. Ask what happens if something does not go as planned.
Professionalism is a signal
Pay attention to how a surgeon talks about other surgeons and practices. A surgeon who relies heavily on criticizing other surgeons, making fear-based statements about other practices or disparaging other surgeons is telling you something about their approach.
A competent and confident surgeon should be able to explain their own training, experience, judgment, results and recommendations without needing to disparage others. Evaluate each surgeon on their own merits, their credentials, their results, their communication and how they treat you in the consultation.
The consultation that will help you the most is the one where the surgeon's focus is on understanding your goals and giving you an honest evaluation instead of selling you a procedure by disparaging others.
