Why the choice of surgeon matters so much
Aesthetic surgery is a medical procedure in its own right, with long-term consequences for your health and appearance. The choice of practitioner directly influences the result, the safety of the operation and the quality of care before and after surgery.
In Paris, the offer is vast: it is essential to know how to tell a qualified surgeon from a practitioner who lacks the required training.
1. Check the official specialty registration
In France, only a surgeon registered with the French medical council (Ordre des médecins) in the specialty of plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery is legally entitled to perform aesthetic surgery procedures.
Checking is simple: the French medical council provides a public directory. Type in the practitioner's name and their official specialty appears.
Be wary of vague titles such as 'aesthetic doctor' or 'surgery expert': only the official specialty registration counts.
2. Check the surgeon's training
A qualified plastic surgeon in France has completed:
- 6 years of medical school
- A 5-year residency in the specialty
- A specialist diploma (DES) in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
- Often one or more university hospital fellowships (assistant positions in an academic hospital department)
The title of University Professor and Hospital Practitioner (PU-PH) or Associate Professor (MCU-PH) is an additional guarantee of academic training and recognition by peers.
3. Experience with the procedure you are considering
Not all plastic surgeons perform every procedure at the same volume. For a rhinoplasty or a breast augmentation, procedure-specific experience matters.
Questions to ask during the consultation:
- How many procedures of this type do you perform per year?
- How long have you been practising this technique?
- Do you have before-and-after cases to show (with patient consent)?
4. The quality of listening during the consultation
A good aesthetic surgery consultation lasts at least 30 to 45 minutes. The surgeon should:
- Listen to your motivations without judgement
- Examine the area concerned
- Clearly explain the possible techniques, their limits and their risks
- Point you towards another solution if surgery is not suited to your case
A practitioner who asks no questions, pushes you towards a quick decision or promises a 'perfect' result should raise a red flag.
5. Transparent pricing
French law requires a detailed written quote before any aesthetic surgery, along with a mandatory 15-day cooling-off period between the quote and the operation.
The quote must include:
- The surgeon's fees
- The anaesthetist's fees
- Facility costs (operating theatre, hospital stay)
- The cost of implants or equipment where applicable
Be wary of very low 'all-inclusive' prices, end-of-year promotions or low-cost packages abroad.
6. Where the surgery takes place
An aesthetic surgery procedure must be performed in a facility licensed by the French regional health agency (ARS): a private clinic, a public hospital or an accredited outpatient surgery centre.
A consultation office does not meet operating theatre standards and cannot serve as one. If you are offered an operation 'at the office', walk away.
7. A coherent medical plan
A serious plastic surgeon will not say yes to every request. They will decline procedures that:
- Are not medically justified
- Carry a disproportionate risk compared with the expected benefit
- Are driven by problematic psychological expectations (body dysmorphic disorder)
This professional ethic is a good sign: a practitioner who knows how to say no is often a practitioner who has mastered their art.
In summary
Choosing a plastic surgeon in Paris takes a little research but remains straightforward:
- Official specialty registration in plastic surgery
- Diplomas and academic training
- Experience with the specific procedure
- Attentive listening and a high-quality consultation
- A transparent quote and the legal cooling-off period respected
- A facility licensed by the ARS
- The ability to decline a procedure
Pr Ignacio Garrido is a fully qualified plastic surgeon, a member of the French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SOFCPRE), and practises at Clinique Alphand and Clinique Eiffel in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. To arrange a consultation, book an appointment via Doctolib or call the practice.