Plastic Surgeon: Beware of Plastic Surgery Marketing

You can’t believe everything you see on TV or read in ads, especially when it’s a commercial or an infomercial about plastic surgery procedures.  Dr. Brian Reagan, a board certified plastic surgeon and contributing editor with The Plastic Surgery Channel  says, clever plastic surgery marketing is here to stay, and consumers need to know what they’re getting into.  He says, “Buying plastic surgery is not like buying an appliance, it is a serious matter that can have a life-long impact.”

By Dr. Brian Reagan
and Carolynn Grimes
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com

Don’t Be Fooled By Clever Marketing

Reagan says many ads and infomercials such as the mini-facelift use clever marketing techniques and consumers need to know the difference.  “We are talking about your face, and you can’t simply throw away a bad purchase and buy another,” says Reagan.

Dr. Reagan who specializes in facial rejuvenation at his San Diego, California practice is passionate about plastic surgery advertising and has put together a list of Do’s and Don’ts to help consumers figure out what’s marketing hype and what’s credible information.

The Don’ts:

Don’t believe everything you see in commercials— Many ads claim they use techniques that are new and revolutionary.  Reagan says, most often these claims are not true.  He says, the ‘mini-face lift’ is simply a facelift along with a neck lift under local anesthesia while you sit in a chair.  He explains, the ‘quick lift’ is a type of facelift that uses a stitch or two to lift your face in a more vertical direction.  While this means less surgery and less time for the surgeon, the scars are often longer and placed in a more visible spot.

Don’t be swayed by a fancy procedure name.  Sometimes, it’s just that, a fancy marketing name.

Don’t let the price be the determining factor on which doctor you choose to perform your surgery.

Don’t be pressured into paying immediately to reserve your spot.  If you feel pressured, something is not right and you should leave.

Don’t agree to a surgical procedure without consulting with other board certified plastic surgeons. It doesn’t hurt to get a second or even a third opinion.  Make sure they are board certified in their field of practice and members of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).  A plastic surgeon who is a member of ASAPS has a particular focus on cosmetic surgery.

The Do’s:

Do your homework.  Look into the credentials of your plastic surgeon. Reagan says, “As surgeons, we know the most important decision you will make is who you choose to do your surgery.”  While many doctors claim themselves as cosmetic surgeons, know that a board certified plastic surgeon has done extensive training to develop the skills and judgment to perform your surgery correctly.

Do understand the limitations of a mini-facelift. Many times the mini-facelift is not sufficient for some patients.  If a doctor only performs the mini-facelift, then he is not capable of giving you an honest consultation on what you may need.

Do ask to talk to previous patients.  If the doctor performs great service, his or her patients should be happy to talk.

With any plastic surgery procedure, make sure the doctor you choose is board certified and that you feel comfortable with the consultation.  A board certified plastic surgeon should be able to offer options based on your particular needs to get the best results possible.