You've probably heard of women who've had disastrous breast augmentation surgeries--either through word of mouth or in the news. In many cases, these women failed to thoroughly research the procedure and/or their plastic surgeon. These are two of the biggest mistakes, with the most egregious not being diligent about finding a skilled surgeon. Here are some frequently asked questions on choosing a plastic surgeon.
My surgeon isn't listed on the ASPS web site. Does that mean he's not certified?
No, just because a plastic surgeon isn't a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons does not mean that he's not certified by the ABPS. However, in order to become a member of the ASPS, a surgeon does have to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery . Membership in the ASPS is voluntary, and is not required. 98% of all plastic surgeons are ASPS members.
Why is it important to have a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery have had at least five years of residency training in general surgery and plastic AND reconstructive surgery. They have all of the required training and knowledge needed to be a "real" plastic surgeon.
If you had a heart problem, you would elect to see a cardiologist, not a dentist. This same principle is true for plastic surgery. If you want a cosmetic procedure, you need a board-certified physician. Unfortunately, there are many types of doctors who perform plastic surgery who have NOT had the proper training to do so. Some doctors (not board-certified plastic surgeons) will go to a weekend seminar, or something of that sort, on how to perform liposuction, breast augmentation, etc. Obviously, this is an EXTREME crash course in plastic surgery, and does not qualify them to perform these plastic surgery procedures.
It is perfectly legal for any doctor to perform plastic surgery. That's why you must be very careful in choosing your plastic surgeon, and researching his or her credentials
Are ABPS board-certified plastic surgeons able to participate in promotions, such as radio contests, etc.?
No, they are not. Many radio stations have contests in which breast augmentation (or some other type of plastic surgery procedure) is the prize. This goes against the ABPS code of ethics. The majority of the time, surgeons "donating" their services as a "prize" are not board-certified by the ABPS.
What is the difference between boards such as the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The governing body of each Member Board (of the ABMS) is comprised of specialists qualified in the specialty represented by the board. The individual Member Boards evaluate physician candidates who voluntarily seek certification by a Member Board of the ABMS. To accomplish this function, the Member Boards determine whether candidates have received appropriate preparation in approved residency training programs in accordance with established educational standards, evaluate candidates with comprehensive examinations, and certify those candidates who have satisfied the board requirements.
Should I choose a plastic surgeon based on a referral from a friend?
Personal recommendations are great, but you should always verify your surgeon's credentials, and his disciplinary history. This should be done prior to scheduling a consult, as you wouldn't want to waste your time and money on a surgeon who may or may not be board-certified by the ABPS, and who may or may not have a very good, hopefully immaculate, medical disciplinary history.
My surgeon told me that he is board-eligible. That's pretty much just good as being certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, isn't it?
No, it's not. Surgeons can claim to be board-eligible for years, while never even attempting to get certification. Please check the board-eligible page for more information.
More FAQ coming soon