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How to Choose A Plastic Surgeon?

A discussion about plastic surgery should start with physician selection. Selecting the surgeon is the single most important factor in the success of your plastic surgery. Of equal, if not of greater, significance than the rapidly escalating number of patients seeking plastic surgery is the explosion in the ranks of physicians not trained as plastic surgeons performing plastic surgery procedures. Lawmakers in several states are taking aim at this issue. The growth is fueled in large part by physicians from many different specialties trying to escape some of the insurance reimbursement limits imposed by managed care on their practices; they seek higher fee-generating procedures such as liposuction, which is not regulated by insurance companies. Despite this, there are still many qualified physicians in different specialties performing very good plastic surgery, and your search should not be limited to one specialty or board-certification category.

As a patient, you should seek to qualified physicians and establish a professional relationship with one who offers the procedure you are interested in.

When Choosing a Plastic Surgeon Be Aware of

Credentials & Board Certification

  1. Just as important as where your plastic surgeon went to school is the specific type of plastic surgery training he or she received. Has your surgeon completed an accredited residency program specifically in plastic surgery? Such a Programs includes an intensive two- to three-year training in the full spectrum of reconstructive and cosmetic surgical procedures. Was the plastic surgery training a shorter “fellowship,” and was it only in a specific area?
  2. Specific board certification. Be perceptive about this. Understand that the American Society of Medical Specialists (ASMS) recognizes only one board of plastic surgery: the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Patients are encouraged to consider a doctor certified by the ABPS. This certification guarantees that the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least three to five years of general surgery and two years of plastic surgery. To be certified by the ABPS, a doctor must also practice plastic surgery for two years as well as pass comprehensive written and oral examinations. The other groups formed their own board. There are some “certifications” that are not boards at all and do not require any testing or peer review. Also, be aware that some references and Internet sites list board-certified doctors only if they pay to advertise. So don’t rule out the possibility that your doctor may still be certified, just not listed. Many doctors have board certification in more than one specialty, so ask about this as well.
  3. Local and state medical societies and memberships. Check your doctor’s membership and make sure no grievances or complaints have been filed against him or her.

Experience and Background

  1. The number of specific procedures performed.
  2. The length of time performing that specific procedure.
  3. Ask the plastic surgeon about the number of complications and lawsuits filed, pending, or settled. All of this information is now available to the public through many state licensing boards, so don’t be shy about asking about this issue.
  4. Be aware that just because a doctor has performed any procedure many times, this does not mean he or she is good at it or has the same “artistic perspective” that you do. Ask a lot of questions to satisfy yourself of this qualification.

Hospital Affiliations

  1. Inquire about hospital admitting and surgical privileges. This is important because occasionally doctors who operate only in their office do so because they may not have hospital admitting privileges. Also, make sure the doctor has surgical privileges, especially in the procedure you are choosing.
  2. Call a respected hospital in your community and ask for the names of board-certified plastic surgeons on staff. Be sure to ask for the names of doctors who have privileges to do the particular procedure you are interested in. See if your doctor is on the list.

Hospital Affiliations

  1. Anyone can set aside a room and call it an operating suite. This has only recently begun to fall under government regulation.
  2. Make sure the operating suite and facility is accredited, and check which agency gave the accreditation.
  3. If you are planning surgery in the office, ask what will happen and where you will go if there is a problem.
  4. Have a clear understanding about the policy for complications and revisions.

References

  1. Don’t merely rely on word-of-mouth.
  2. Ask the plastic surgeon for references and a list of his or her patients. Call these references and talk to them.
  3. Ask to see some of the photographs of patients who underwent similar procedures. Make sure these are his or her patients and not copied photographs or models.
  4. Ask doctors and nurses. Your family doctor or an operating room nurse may be able to recommend a surgeon.

Your Consultation

  1. Make sure your doctor will answer all of your questions thoroughly in an understandable way.
  2. Make sure you spend ample time with your doctor and not just his nurse or counselor.
  3. Discuss your motivations and expectations.
  4. Make sure the doctor welcomes questions, especially about qualifications, experience, costs, payments, and complications.
  5. Make sure the doctor offers alternatives, or even other doctors’ names for a second opinion, without pressuring you to book surgery.
  6. You should discuss with your surgeon your expectations and any related matters that may affect your recovery, such as the nature of your job, smoking or drinking habits, other diseases or medications you are using, and any related personal matters.

Paid Advertising

  1. You can find plenty of physicians’ names in the yellow pages and other advertising sources. Keep in mind that that doctors can list themselves under any specialty heading they like and advertise any services they want to sell, regardless of their training and credentials.

Artistic Perspective

  1. Very important. Make sure your doctor sees what you see and knows what you want, and that he or she will provide the sort of result that you are both focused on.
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True Cost of Quality Surgery
What Your Surgery Actually Costs (And Why Price Matters)

Here is a fact most clinics will never tell you: in bariatric surgery alone, the disposable instruments cost between 50,000 and 120,000 EGP per case. Staplers, energy devices, reinforcement materials — these are single-use items that cannot be reused safely.

The price red flag: If a clinic charges 40,000-50,000 EGP for a complete bariatric procedure, and the instruments alone cost more than that — ask yourself what they are cutting corners on. The answer is usually counterfeit or reused disposable instruments.

Volume benchmarks: A surgeon performing more than 100 bariatric cases per year has a complication rate of 1.5-1.8%. A surgeon doing fewer than 30 cases per year has significantly higher risks. Ask about case volume — it is your right.

The social media warning: There is a wave of marketing on social media creating false demand for procedures and false trust in unvetted surgeons. Verify credentials. Check board certifications. Ask about training.

In Egypt, conscience is our regulator. We do not have the same formal oversight systems as Western countries. That means a surgeon’s ethics are largely self-regulated — which makes YOUR job of vetting even more important. A surgeon who is transparent about costs, complications, and alternatives is one who has nothing to hide.

Father & Son Insight

"If the total price is 40-50K and instruments alone cost more than that — something is being compromised." — Dr. Mohammed and Dr. Khaled reveal the instrument fraud crisis and why ethical surgery has a minimum price floor.

Read the full conversation →

Verification Checklist — Questions You Must Ask Any Surgeon

Before booking any procedure, ask these questions. A surgeon who welcomes them has nothing to hide.

1. Is the surgeon board-certified by a recognized authority?

The Arab Board in Plastic Surgery is the recognized standard — ask for the certificate and accreditation date. International memberships (ISAPS, ASPS) add an extra layer of accountability.

2. How many procedures has the surgeon performed in the past year?

The global benchmark (IFSO): 100+ procedures/year = 1.5-1.8% complication rate. Fewer than 30/year = significantly higher risks. Ask for the numbers — it is your right.

3. Is the surgeon transparent about costs?

Disposable instruments for a single bariatric surgery cost 50,000-120,000 EGP. If the total price is lower than that — ask what corners are being cut. Learn more about financing options.

4. Does the surgeon offer non-surgical alternatives?

A scientific surgeon will tell you if you do not need surgery — that is a sign of integrity, not weakness. Read about whether you really need surgery.

5. Does the surgeon follow up with patients after surgery?

Ask about the follow-up program — drain care, nutrition guidance, complication management plans. A surgeon who publishes detailed care guides shows that patient welfare is the priority.

6. Is the surgeon established in their community?

A surgeon in the same location for years has a verifiable track record, stable hospital affiliations, and peer reputation. Long-term presence means they stand behind their results — patients know where to find them.

What Makes a Hospital Worth Choosing in Alexandria?

Questions to ask before you commit — framed not as marketing, but as a checklist a patient should actually use.

How long has the hospital been in the same location?

A hospital that has been in the same building for decades is not hiding. Their complications, their reputation, and their address are all verifiable. A practice that relocates frequently has no track record you can verify — and often no reason to stay accountable.

How many procedures has the team performed collectively — not just the lead surgeon?

Individual case volume matters, but institutional volume matters more. A hospital with two surgeons who have collectively performed 12,800+ procedures has seen complications, managed them, and refined their protocols. A clinic that opened last year has not.

Do patients travel from outside Alexandria to reach you — or away from you?

Patient geography tells you more than testimonials. A hospital that serves patients from 27 governorates and from countries like Libya, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Sweden is being chosen over alternatives the patient had at home. That is a meaningful signal that cannot be faked.

Is the specialty range broad enough to catch what a single specialist might miss?

A hospital covering cosmetic surgery, bariatric surgery, general surgery, and microsurgery under one roof means a patient's full picture is evaluated — not just the slice relevant to the surgeon's specialty. Cross-specialty exposure changes what gets diagnosed and what gets recommended.

Can the surgeon communicate with you directly — in your language?

Informed consent requires communication. A surgeon who replies on WhatsApp directly, who speaks your language without an intermediary, and who is reachable after hours for complications is a fundamentally different relationship than going through a coordinator who then speaks to the surgeon who then responds tomorrow.

These criteria describe a type of practice, not any single one. Use them as a filter for every consultation you consider. Our institutional history →

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Surgeon

Ask about case volume — surgeons performing 100+ cases/year have 1.5-1.8% complication rates. If total price is below 50,000 EGP, ask what corners are being cut. Verify board certifications and training. In Egypt, conscience is the regulator — transparency about costs and complications marks an ethical surgeon.

Verify accredited board certification (such as Arab Board in Plastic Surgery) and accredited residency training. Ask about annual case volume — 100+ procedures in the specialty indicates real experience. Ask to see before-and-after photos of actual patients, and confirm pricing is transparent with instrument cost breakdowns.

Ask to see instrument packaging before surgery. Original surgical staplers cost 10,000-60,000 EGP each. If total surgery price is below instrument cost alone, something is being compromised. An ethical surgeon welcomes these questions without hesitation.

Yes, critically so. The Arab Board in Plastic Surgery requires accredited residency plus comprehensive examinations. International memberships like ISAPS and ASPS add accountability layers. In Egypt, where formal oversight is limited, board certifications become your most important trust signal as a patient.

A scientific surgeon publishes complication rates transparently, offers non-surgical alternatives when appropriate, provides full cost breakdowns, and welcomes second opinions. A commercial surgeon pressures quick booking, hides complication data, and uses social media marketing as a substitute for credentials.

A surgeon established in their community for years has a verifiable track record, stable hospital affiliations, peer reputation, and a referral network from past patients. Long-term presence in one location means they stand behind their results — patients know where to find them. This differs from traveling surgeons or newly opened clinics without history.

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Specialists in plastic, reconstructive, general, laparoscopic, and microsurgery. Alexandria, Egypt.

59, Alexandria-Matruh st., Ghalwash building, Agami, Alexandria, Egypt

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