How Do You Find a Plastic Surgeon in Nashville?
You can find a plastic surgeon in Nashville by searching through trusted databases, such as that of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), which is a private organization that oversees board certifications. These databases showcase a list of board-certified plastic surgeons, such as Dr. Nathan Brought. Once you find a board-certified surgeon, evaluate them based on their credentials and their surgical facility’s accreditation. Go through a thorough initial consultation to discuss your goals, medical history, and expectations transparently.
Your doctor should be able to discuss potential risks from an operation and the follow-up care needed. Transparent communication is essential for a trusting relationship.
1. Search Through a Database and Evaluate the Surgeon’s Credentials
Search through different plastic surgeon databases, such as the AOA’s and the Tennessee Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Evaluate the surgeon’s credentials — at a minimum, they must have a degree in medicine. Plastic surgery involves using anesthesia, wound healing treatments, and plastic or reconstructive operations, so plastic surgeons must be licensed physicians. In Nashville, Tennessee, you can verify a doctor’s license through the Department of Health’s website.
Doctors must have completed surgical residency and plastic surgery training. Board certification comes after residency. This certification signals that doctors can provide the specialized, high-quality patient care and are more likely to adhere to established treatment guidelines. Board-certified physicians are also assessed through a continuing certification process, which ensures that doctors keep up with the evolving surgery techniques, treatments, and safety standards.
Membership organizations also tell you a doctor’s professional involvement, but they do not replace licensure and board certification.
2. Confirm the Surgical Facility’s Accreditation
The surgical facility’s accreditations tell you that the doctor performs operations in a safe setting. Accreditations signal cleanliness and emergency preparedness, and separate a surgical environment from a medical office that’s not as equipped. Note that the accreditation must match the actual location where the surgery occurs.
3. Get a Comprehensive Initial Consultation
Getting a comprehensive initial consultation enables you to discuss your goals, medical history, and expectations adequately. The doctor must be able to explain potential risks and follow-up care procedures. Clear communication enables a strong, trusting relationship. This consultation helps you skip doctors who don’t have your best interests at heart. Plastic surgery is a huge, serious decision that must be performed with a trustworthy doctor.
Confirm whether you can get personalized, comprehensive care. The doctor must be able to support you throughout your journey, not just the surgery. This journey includes the preoperative preparation, attentive post-operative care, and long-term support.
Find a Trusted Plastic Surgeon at Southern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Institute
At Southern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Institute, we help patients get surgery results that enable them to feel better about themselves. We utilize the latest advances in plastic surgery and pride ourselves on our attentive and compassionate approach. You can get scheduled in a short amount of time, even when you call after business hours. Our team specializes in various cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, such as cosmetic surgery, breast reconstruction, and maxillofacial reconstruction.
Dr. Nathan Brought, who heads the team, is board-certified in plastic surgery. He has completed a five-year general surgery residency in the Pinnacle Health System in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, before performing a fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Ohio University and Grant Medical Center. He maintains several active affiliations, including the Tennessee Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, the Tennessee Athletic Commission, and the Tennessee Osteopathic Medical Association. Contact us today at 318-724-5682 for a consultation.