Dr. Bellin, Howard | Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Bellin highly suggests that you prepare yourself before you consider finding a cosmetic surgeon. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to have this kind of surgery, so, before you start looking for a plastic surgeon, search within yourself and decide if those reasons make sense. If you truly feel that cosmetic surgery will make a difference in your self-esteem and ultimately your life, then you are probably ready to start shopping around for a cosmetic surgeon.

Dr. Bellin has had years of experience in the field and most people don’t realize that all cosmetic surgeons are not the same.  You should gather several sentiments to make an knowledgeable choice that will best suit your needs. For instance, some physicians focus only on operations for the face, while others may target breast surgery or liposuction. Take the time and do a little research to narrow down the doctors. Once you have several names on your list, the immediate step is to ask some questions.

Dr. Bellin Recommends these questions to ask:

1. What procedure do you suggest for my goal of a facelift, brow lift, laser skin resurfacing, forehead lift (or whatever your goal is)? By leaving this a rather open-ended question, the cosmetic surgeon has the chance to show you how much he knows. Each may have slightly different answers as to how to help you achieve your goal. You job is to determine which sounds the best for your lifestyle.

2. How many years and how often have you been performing this procedure? Obviously, this question is asking the surgeon how much experience he really has. You want someone that has had first-hand experience with a proven track record. Tied in with this question could be inquiries as to the surgeons educating and whether they keep up with the modern technologies and continuing education. Hospital privileges and Board Certification are also important to know.

3. What results can I expect from this cosmetic surgery? This is a practical expectation to have. You want to know the possibilities. Ask your plastic surgeon about computer imagery to compare and get a realistic expectation of what your results might be.

4. Can you tell me the possible dangers and problems I might encounter? Being warned ahead is important in case the operation is not quite what you expect. Sometimes, it is your personal medical history that could make attaining your dream results difficult. Other times, it could be a reaction to anesthesia or an infection at an incision site.

5. How long will it take to recover from the cosmetic surgery? No two cosmetic surgeons are the same, nor may they use the same surgical procedures to accomplish your goal. Each situation is different and recovery times will depend on your own general health. The healthier you are to start with, the quicker you recover.

6. What is the cost of getting this skin care treatment? Again, each operation is different with doctors charging different rates. Also, in some cases, insurance may pick up the tab. Sometimes, payment programs are an option. Ask in advanced what their fees and other costs address. Will it take care of post-operative care and follow-up visits?

7. Does it matter if I smoke? Be sure to tell them if you smoke or not. If you are a smoker, this could potentially have an impact on your recovery time and even the choice of anesthesia and other medications, especially those for post-operative pain.

Dr. Bellin is one of the country’s most celebrated plastic surgeons. Dr. Bellin is not only the founder but also the sole cosmetic surgeon of CosMedica. Dr. Bellin has over 30 years of surgical experience and literally thousands of patients from New York. In addition for his medical practice, Dr. Bellin published two famous books – “Dr. Bellin’s Beautiful You” and BeautyScience that were highly regarded bestsellers dealing with the field of plastic surgery.

Dr. Bellin was born to Maurice Bellin and Etta Bellin. His family was upper middle class and lived in Passaic Clifton and then South Orange, New Jersey. In 1964 Dr. Bellin married Christina Bellin, a Former Model and daughter to Alicia Spaulding and Count Lorenzo Palozzi. Dr. Bellin and his wife were known for their extravagant parties attended by a variety of glamorous personalalities that included Andy Warhol, Jacob K. Javits and Zsa Zsa Gabor. The Bellins divorced in 1982. In their marriage they had two sons Marco and Andrew Bellin, author of “Poker Nation: A High-Stakes, Low-Life Adventure into the Heart of a Gambling Country.” Christina Bellin died in 1988.