Choosing a plastic surgeon can be a very daunting task as it is a very important decision. There is no easy answer to which plastic surgeon is best, it’s up to you to decide what is important to you and choose the best plastic surgeon for you. There are a few things that everyone should look for in their surgeon though. You will absolutely want a surgeon who is board certified. That surgeon should have a lot of experience, and you’ll also want to make sure they come highly recommended.

The real decision maker should be that intangible “it” that the judges on American Idol are always talking about. Of course for a plastic surgeon this has nothing to do with stage presence or singing ability, instead it is about whether you feel the surgeon understands your needs and expectations and can care for and comfort you when you are at your most vulnerable. You, of course, can’t know if a surgeon has “it” unless you meet with them in person. No one should pick a plastic surgeon without having a consultation with the doctor first.

Patients have notoriously found that in general female plastic surgeons are more sensitive. A female doctor may be more in tune with your feelings and desires, as well as be more considerate to your thoughts. Studies have shown that female doctors, on average, spend more time talking with their patients than their male counterparts. As a result, female plastic surgeons are more likely to take the time to extensively discuss the different treatment options available and to listen to their patient’s wants and needs to figure out what the best course of action is for that particular patient.

Some female patients believe that having a female plastic surgeon allows them to feel more comfortable and therefor more relaxed. This can make it easier to be more open about their issues with their appearance without fear or embarrassment. Often times patients want to discuss highly sensitive topics and desire cosmetic procedures for intimate areas, like labiaplasty or breast surgery. So, it’s not a surprise that many women feel more comfortable talking to a surgeon of the same sex about such procedures.

Often women feel more comfortable talking about their body issues to other women because they believe a woman can understand and relate to their feelings better than a man. Not only does a female surgeon understand the female body from a different perspective than a male doctor, but a female surgeon may also tend to be more empathic. If you think you’d be more comfortable opening up with a female plastic surgeon, then this should be considered when you’re picking a doctor. You’ll want to choose someone that you feel you can totally open up to and with whom you don’t feel embarrassed. Many women do not feel comfortable undressing, let alone showing their most private areas, to a male stranger, even if he is a doctor.

Many male patients also prefer a female plastic surgeons over a male plastic surgeon. Obviously this is not for the same reason, but actually for very similar reasons. Men would also like a better listener. Someone who can offer them empathy and sensitivity. Also, men can be very competitive by nature. Wether it is consciously or unconsciously, men tend to not want to show any signs of weakness to other men. This mind-set can make openly sharing their problems and perceived flaws with a male doctor very difficult for them, especially when it concerns sensitive issues like male gynecomastia (enlarged breasts). For some men, a female plastic surgeon might just be a better match.

Dr. Usha Rajagopal believes that choosing a plastic surgeon is a very complex decision and should not be taken lightly.

Dr. Usha Rajagopal:

Dr. Usha Rajagopal is a board certified female plastic surgeon practicing in San Francisco. She brings the empathetic ear and insight of a female, along with more than 20 years of experience. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Usha Rajagopal, call the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center at (415) 392-3333 today.