Checking Out CredentialsAs you evaluate whet r to have cosmetic surgery, you will need to learn about procedures that are available and to make a decision on who will perform your cosmetic surgery. If you are anxious to begin learning about the procedures, then skip ahead to later chapters in this book, where you will find Internet sites about many popular cosmetic surgery procedures. However, many of the recommended sites are, in fact, produced for prospective patients (consumers such as yourself) by the professional membership associations of cosmetic surgeons, so it’s important that you understand the role these organizations play in certifying that your prospective surgeon has the proper training and experience to perform cosmetic procedures. This chapter will help you to select a cosmetic surgeon by leading you to information about both the selection process and physician credentials. So, while you may actually decide first on what cosmetic procedure you want, understanding the qualifications and medical/surgical specialties and subspecialties that are involved with cosmetic surgery may actually influence the procedure that you ultimately select. A “good fit” between you and your surgeon will lead to a positive experience.