Family doctors may also be able to provide you with recommendations based on their own perception of who in the community or region is accomplished and well respected in the area you wish to inquire about. However, doctors are not always knowledgeable about different fields and the importance of certain credentials in other fields. Other physicians who may be knowledgeable regarding elective cosmetic surgery include dermatologists and obstetricians and gynecologists. Pose the same questions to these physicians to get their opinions. Operating room nurses are also a good source of information if you are acquainted with one in your area.
Nurses work closely with multiple doctors in the operating room setting.
An experienced operating room nurse will be well informed about a physician's temperament, demeanor, ability, results, and respect among other health professionals. If you have a preferred hospital, call their medical staff office and ask for the names of physicians with privileges who perform the procedure you are interested in. Hospitals conduct extensive background checks of education, training, certification, and licensure prior to granting hospital privileges. Even if you know the surgeon performs most if not all of his operations in his office, the fact that a physician has privileges to perform the procedure you are interested in at the hospital provides a measure of assurance that the physician should be able to perform the procedure and should have the necessary background and experience. Beauty salon personnel often know the scoop on local surgeons as well.