The benefits of choosing a plastic surgeon close to home
Written by Mark Domanski, M.D.
Why choosing a local plastic surgeon matters
Of all the internet searches patients perform, I think “Plastic Surgeon Near Me” is the most important. Most areas of the country have excellent plastic surgeons. Being close to your plastic surgeon makes before and aftercare easier. Finally, your surgeon knowing you live nearby will help them make better decisions.
Here is why:
In Northern Virginia, where I practice, there are over 70 plastic surgeons. In Fairfax, Virginia, where I practice, I can walk to at least 4 other plastic surgery offices—and my area is not even that walkable!
With so many plastic surgeons in Northern Virginia, one surgeon might perform a better breast augmentation, and another might perform a better abdominoplasty. However, in such a competitive area, the level of plastic surgery is high because the average plastic surgeon has difficulty establishing a practice here. Many areas where people want to live are similar.
Convenience and continuity of care improve outcomes
Proximity to preoperative and postoperative appointments makes it easier to see your surgeon. Surgery does not stop at the last stitch, but rather when recovery is complete. If any minor issue arises in the postop period, a short drive to your plastic surgeon’s office is better than a long one.
Finally, I believe that surgeons may treat local patients differently. If a surgeon treats an out-of-town patient, that patient will return home for much of their recovery. Any issues are more likely to stay out of sight and thus out of mind for the surgeon. However, a local patient and the surgeon might share a friend. They may see each other at a child’s soccer match or run into each other at the grocery store. The local patient’s outcome will have a greater impact on the doctor’s reputation.
So, keep doing your research, but I think the most important search phrase is “plastic surgeon near me.”
Sincerely,
