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How to Choose Your Cosmetic Surgeon - Article
Cosmetic surgery is increasingly becoming popular. A lot of people gather information a from various sources like magazines, internet and sometimes from others who have had the similar surgery done. But often they are ignorant about the surgeon, and who exactly will be the best to perform the surgery. This is the critical factor in the success of surgery.
The tag of "Cosmetic surgeon" is what people look for generally. Cosmetic surgery is not a well defined term and a lot of doctors (and sometimes quacks) from various specialties use this tag to enhance their practice. Their training and capabilities may be vastly different and it is important to realize that all cosmetic surgeons are not same. It is advisable that you specifically find out the qualification your surgeon has . Cosmetic surgeons come from many backgrounds:
• Cosmetic plastic surgeon (MBBS, MS, MCh Plastic surgery): After 51/2 years of MBBS one takes 3 years degree of MS (master of surgery) during which the surgeon learns to do all kinds of major surgeries like liver, intestines, thyroid etc. Also they learn to handle major trauma and critical patients. Then 2-3 years MCh plastic surgery training makes them plastic surgeons, making it 11-12 years of training. Plastic surgery is a broad specialization and one learns to treat burns, facial injuries, hand surgeries and reimplantation, microvascular surgery and also cosmetic surgery. Depending on their interest and aptitude plastic surgeon at times choose to focus on a certain aspect of plastic surgery and call themselves cosmetic surgeons, hand surgeons or microvascular surgeons. There is no formal degree/course like cosmetic surgery. Most plastic surgeons acquire the skills of cosmetic surgery by informal training in western countries by working with a plastic surgeon who is doing a lot of cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is a rapidly evolving subject commonly continuing medical education in form of conferences and workshop is required. Cosmetic plastic surgeons perform the widest variety of cosmetic surgery to any part of the body.
• Cosmetic dermatologist (MBBS, MD): Dermatologists do MBBS followed by 3 years skin specialization. Most dermatologists do biopsy of skin, removal of moles and warts etc. They also use lasers for hair removal and other indications.
• ENT surgeons/ Eye surgeons: They do MBBS and 3 years MS in ENT or Ophthalmology. ENT surgeons can perform nose and ear surgeries and ophthalmologists can perform eyelid surgeries.
• Cosmetic dentistry: They are BDS (dental surgeons) with usually some further MDS specialization in dentistry. They deal with surgeries to beautify teeth, jaws and sometimes lips.
Apart from this sometimes one finds MBBS or MS (general surgeons) practicing cosmetic surgery. Some people confuse cosmetic surgeon with cosmetologist. Cosmetologists are not medical doctors- they are like beauticians.
When performing any job qualification acts as quality control. Basic surgical training ensures one's capacity of handling major surgeries, blood loss and emergency situations. Plastic surgery training emphasizes on gentle and artistic surgery with a lot of imagination and creativity in minimizing the scars. Experience further adds to the skills. Always make sure that the surgeon has the adequate qualifications, training and experience in performing the surgery you are seeking.
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