A surgeon's aesthetic sense - his or her eye for what looks beautiful and pleasing - is one of the attributes that cannot be ignored in the context of cosmetic surgery, since it plays such a critical role in patient satisfaction.
Fortunately, with the availability of information on the Web, assessing the aesthetic quality of a surgeon's work is far easier than it has been in the past.
For those considering cosmetic plastic surgery, there are several ways to gauge a surgeon's aesthetic eye.
These include browsing before and after photos of real patients (both online and in the office), reviewing the surgeon's credentials, and understanding the surgeon's philosophy about beauty and aesthetics.
Viewing Before & After Photos Although no two patients will have exactly the same results, looking at before and after photos helps patients measure the quality of their surgeon's work and helps them understand what results to expect for surgery.
There may be instances where certain complications or a particularly challenging case prevent a surgeon from creating results that appear entirely natural - patients should spend enough time in a photo gallery so that they can get a general sense of the quality of work the surgeon delivers.
Many plastic surgeons' photo galleries are available on their Web sites, but many will keep additional photos in the office for patients to browse during their visits.
If there are no pictures online, patients should ask to see them when they come in for a consultation.
It's always a good idea for patients to compare the results they see with the work of other surgeons as well.
Questions to Ask While Browsing:

• Do the results look consistently bad/good to you?
• Do the results look natural?
• Is there a specific technique the surgeon uses to create these results?
• How many times has the surgeon performed your surgery? (A surgeon may have dozens of photos for a particular type of surgery, but patients should also ask this question during the consultation.
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Checking Credentials Any doctor - even those without any advanced training in cosmetic or plastic surgery techniques - can perform cosmetic surgery.
As a result, it is important for patients to carefully evaluate a surgeon's credentials, looking for post-doctorate training in plastic surgery specifically.
Board-certified plastic surgeons have completed advanced training in cosmetic and reconstructive techniques, and have demonstrated their knowledge and skill in order to become board certified.
Look for a surgeon who has earned certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery if you are considering a cosmetic procedure.
While many other boards and organizations exist, this credential is an indication of a skilled surgeon who has been specially trained in plastic surgery techniques.
A surgeon's training - along with years of experience - is a good indicator of his or her skill with a procedure.
Questions to Ask about Credentials:

• Is this surgeon board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Has this surgeon completed a residency in plastic surgery?
• Where did this surgeon go to medical school?
• How many years has this surgeon been in practice?

Evaluating Philosophy The advent of the Web has made information about surgeons much more available, meaning that in many cases it is easier for patients to get a glimpse into a surgeon's philosophy regarding beauty and aesthetics.
While it may seem like a small thing, and one that is hard to define, a surgeon's interests and beliefs can influence his or her work greatly.
Having an interest in the aesthetic side of plastic surgery is an important trait for any plastic surgeon who does cosmetic work.
Questions to Ask about Philosophy:

• Does this surgeon seem to take a personal approach to each surgery?
• Does this surgeon have an interest in the arts?
• How does this surgeon determine what "looks good" and what doesn't?

Sometimes the best approach to learning about a surgeon's eye for aesthetics is to ask prior patients how they feel about the appearance of their surgical results.
A surgeon who is able to focus on each individual patient's sense of what looks best will have many satisfied patients who are happy to talk about their results and experience.