The demand for cosmetic procedures has grown rapidly in recent years. Unfortunately, so has the number of unscrupulous and inadequately qualified providers looking to profit from these procedures. To avoid taking unnecessary risks and to find a plastic surgeon who can professionally fulfill your wishes, you should take a close look when choosing a doctor. As a board-certified specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery, I’ll explain firsthand how to recognize quality.
Look for the board certification title
Let’s start right away with the biggest misconception. Many people still believe that the term “cosmetic surgeon” automatically refers to a surgeon who has been specifically trained in aesthetic procedures. This is definitely not the case. The term is not protected in this country, so any doctor may use it. Theoretically, even a dentist or a general practitioner without surgical training could put it on their practice sign. The same applies to titles such as:
- Cosmetic Surgeon
- Aesthetic Surgeon
- Beauty Doc
They all sound impressive, but they are not protected by law and say nothing about the physician’s education or training. The only reliable indicator when searching for a plastic surgeon is the protected specialty title “Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery.” I am only permitted to use this title after completing a six-year residency following my medical degree and passing the specialty board exam. As a trainee specialist in plastic surgery, I must perform well over 600 procedures independently and under the supervision of experienced colleagues during this time.
The breadth of the field also demonstrates just how comprehensive it is. Plastic surgery is based on four pillars:
- Aesthetic Surgery
- Reconstructive surgery
- Burn surgery
- Hand surgery
A physician with the title of board-certified plastic surgeon therefore masters a broad spectrum of treatments, ranging from post-accident reconstruction to aesthetic procedures.
Check for Memberships in Professional Societies
Memberships in professional societies are also a good indicator of quality when searching for a plastic surgeon. At the international level, these include ISAPS and EASAPS; in Germany, they are the DGPRÄC, DGÄPC, and VDÄPC.
These societies admit only board-certified specialists with the appropriate title who have been performing surgeries independently for several years and have committed to a code of ethics. On their websites, you’ll find directories of members, allowing you to quickly and free of charge verify whether a doctor is a member or not. You can also use these directories to search for reputable specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery.
Ask These Seven Questions During Your Consultation
During your consultation with the treating doctor, you should feel free to ask anything that’s on your mind. After all, it’s your body and your money. Every reputable specialist actually expects critical questions and will be happy to answer them in detail. For me, this is always a sign that my patients have already thought deeply about the topic beforehand and aren’t coming to me on a whim—for example, because they want surgery simply because it’s trendy.
If a doctor reacts to your questions with irritation or evasiveness, or if you otherwise have an uneasy feeling, it’s better to keep looking. It’s best to prepare for the consultation by jotting down a few notes. Experience shows that, due to nervousness, patients end up asking only half the questions they actually intended to ask. Important questions include:
Are you a board-certified specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery?
Feel free to ask for a detailed explanation of the title. If you’re unsure or simply want to be on the safe side, you can always verify the title through the state medical board. Very important: Certificates or weekend courses are no substitute for specialized medical training.
How often have you performed this procedure?
A board-certified specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery covers a broad spectrum of procedures. However, there’s a difference between skill and true experience. If a doctor performs a breast augmentation every week, they’re more familiar with the pitfalls than someone who only has it on their operating schedule once a month.
Can you show me before-and-after photos of your patients?
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. During your consultation, ask to see before-and-after photos of patients with a similar starting point to yours. A reputable doctor will show you natural-looking photos that haven’t been heavily retouched.
How much does the procedure cost, and what is included?
Cost transparency is an important indicator of quality. Ask for a written cost estimate during your consultation. Every reputable plastic surgeon will provide you with a detailed breakdown that includes everything from the surgeon’s fee to the clinic, anesthesia, and postoperative care.
Other important questions you should ask:
- What are the risks, and how often do they occur?
- Is anesthesia necessary, and will an anesthesiologist administer it?
- What does postoperative care involve?
Evaluate Social Media Correctly
I’m active on social media myself, where I share insights into my daily work as a plastic surgeon and explain common procedures. Time and again, patients come into my office, pull their smartphones out of their pockets, show me social media images of, for example, breast surgeries, and say they want to look exactly like that.
Unfortunately, these images are increasingly edited with filters or AI, creating false expectations. I personally advocate for strict labeling of such edited images and therefore consciously avoid using them. But that’s not the only problem. Often, the images and videos show people with a completely different body type. My job as a reputable specialist is then to honestly tell you what is realistically possible and what isn’t, and to find a solution that suits your body.
So be skeptical if you show a doctor a photo from social media and he immediately tells you that he can achieve the exact same result for you. A healthy dose of skepticism toward social media in general can’t hurt either, especially today, when images and videos can be altered with AI in ways that are barely noticeable and without much expertise.
Avoid cheap, enticing offers from abroad
Cosmetic surgery with a vacation included. Of course, that sounds tempting. Providers from Turkey, in particular, advertise such offers on social media. Even if the surgery goes well, there’s often the problem that you have no point of contact after returning to Germany.
Who will follow up and who will take care of you if complications do arise? In the end, it’s a German doctor who has to help. I’ve personally encountered such cases myself. Therefore, avoid surgeries abroad unless both pre- and post-operative care are provided by the same surgeon.
Check out online reviews
Patient reviews provide initial guidance when searching for a specialist. However, you shouldn’t base your decision solely on a flawless five-star rating. Pay attention to what patients are writing.
Do the reviews only mention short wait times and low prices, or do they also provide concrete information about medical history, follow-up care, and overall satisfaction with the results? If everything sounds too good to be true, you should be suspicious. Reviews can be bought, and bad reviews can be deleted.
Take your time making your decision
Now you know what to look for. But please still take your time when searching for a doctor. Take your time to check their qualifications, ask your questions, and—most importantly—always trust your gut. If you don’t feel 100% comfortable or taken seriously, keep looking or get a second opinion. After all, it’s your health we’re talking about, and that’s irreplaceable.