Typically, one doesn’t wake up in the morning and decide to get plastic surgery without having previously thought about doing so. The decision to get plastic surgery often begins with extensive research. As part of that research, it’s essential to meet with a plastic surgeon for a consultation. However, knowing what questions to ask a plastic surgeon isn’t always clear; here are three to get you started.

1. Certification

Anytime a surgical procedure is performed it should be done by a competent professional. In the case of plastic surgeons, competence equates to a minimum of four years in medical school, a three-year residency in general surgery, and a two-year residency in plastic surgery. All three education programs must be through accredited schools.

The best way to learn whether or not your plastic surgeon has completed all their education is to ask them if they’re certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Board certification verifies a surgeon’s education then requires them to pass several written and oral exams. If your plastic surgeon is board certified, you know you’re in competent hands.

2. Experience

Although becoming a board certified plastic surgeon is a rigorous and comprehensive process, it’s not the same as experience. Regardless of the type of procedure you want to have done, it’s necessary to ask your plastic surgeon about their experience performing that specific procedure. While a plastic surgeon may have been trained to perform a variety of procedures, their experience doing so may be limited to just a few. It should go without saying but, the more times a surgeon has performed a procedure, the more likely they are to produce desired results with fewer complications.

3. Complications

It’s unfortunate but true that nothing is perfect. Even with an ideal plastic surgeon, an ideal patient, and ideal circumstances, surgical complications are always a possibility. Consequently, it’s wise for you and your plastic surgeon to hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. As such, be sure to ask your plastic surgeon about the complications associated with your procedure and how they plan to address them should they arise.

You should certainly ask your plastic surgeon more than three questions during a consultation. However, the three discussed here are enough to get you started. Don’t be afraid to ask as many of your questions until you’re fully confident and comfortable with your decision and plastic surgeon.