How to tell if a surgeon is good or not?

[benzorlb]

What are some things to look out for during a consolation?

I know looking up for reviews and googling the doctors name is a good way to find out more, but what else? I have a consolation with a surgeon in a couple of days. I'm going with my mother to get another opinion. What are some things to look out for, what are some things I should ask, etc..?

[sarz]

You could always ask them how many successful cases they have had and how many cases they have to redo. Also ask them for the full details about the surgical procedure you are electing to undertake, including side effects, recovery times etc...
Good Luck

[Bullfighter]

You could always ask them how many successful cases they have had and how many cases they have to redo. Also ask them for the full details about the surgical procedure you are electing to undertake, including side effects, recovery times etc...
Good Luck

I agree. I talked with two surgeons prior to committing to surgery.

First, I went by referrals from my orthodontist -- if you find a great orthodontist, they should know who the best maxillofacial surgeons are in the area.

Then I asked how many times each had done the procedure they were recommending for me. If you talk with more than one surgeon, you can compare your notes on the side effects and recovery times.

I suppose you could do an Internet search, but the problem is that if a surgeon has been in business for 20 years you'll probably turn up the 4 people out of 2,000 who were unhappy with their surgery.

[sarz]

Yeah, I agree a google search would not necessarily be the best option due to the fact that a surgeon that has over twenty years experience would not have had cases provided/published on the internet. The internet was not available or used so often as it is today. In the UK now, each hospital provider lists the surgeons that work for that particular area and gives a grade ( a bit like merit points ) on their surgical outcomes. Only found this out recently, I hope that this helps. Also; there is always the old method of word of mouth, you could try to find others that have been to that surgeon and ask their opinion. Hope you find what you are looking for