What to Look for in a Plastic Surgeon

When considering a cosmetic enhancement, you need to investigate every detail of the credentials and experience of the prospective surgeon. Look for:

• Board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons
• Check the reputation of the board-certified surgeon on healthgrades.com and realself.com, where actual patients rate doctors
• Determine if the surgeon has hospital privileges
• Be wary if the surgeon offers “deals” that sound too good to be true – plastic surgery, when performed correctly, does not include shortcuts
• Once the above is reviewed, ensure you feel comfortable, cared for, listened to, and in good communication with the individual plastic surgeon
• Realize that a compelling sales pitch from a less qualified doctor does not necessarily indicate that the procedure will produce the result you envision

How Board Certification is Achieved

Board certification is not a minor issue – the American Board of Medical Specialties has established the criteria governing medical specialties. To achieve certification as a plastic surgeon requires that the doctor completes the required training and passes a comprehensive written and oral examination that covers the full array of procedures performed by plastic surgeons.

Certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons is the “gold standard” of medical certification. Certification demonstrates that the physician has successfully completed a prescribed set of requirements in the specialty of plastic surgery, far above and beyond the requirements associated with a standard medical license. The testing procedure is extensive; the entire fund of knowledge in plastic surgery is tested before certification can be granted.