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Breast Augmentation by a Board Certified General Surgeon?

asked 1 year ago by SugaXoLips in manchester, NH
Latest answer by E. Ronald Finger, MD
Question viewed 449 times
Tags: credentials, qualifications, safety, surgeon

Here is the deal. I have been referred to a surgeon by a very good friend of mine. HER friend just recently got her breasts done by this doctor and she is extremely pleased with her results, and SHE was referred to him by one of HER friends who also saw him and loved her results too! I see very good reviews on him and everyone seems to be very pleased with his work. But he is not board certified for PLASTIC surgery, only GENERAL surgery. I am not sure what to think...

28 answers to Breast Augmentation by a Board Certified General Surgeon?

+2

Breast Augmentation by a Board Certified General Surgeon?

This is a typical question we see all the time. Patients see non plastic surgeons such as dermatologist. ear nose and throat doctors and currently in our area emergency medicine doctors performing plastic surgery procedures which they have only seen in a weekend course. There has been a large migration of non plastic surgeons performing plastic surgery procedures. This is very risky for the patient. The procedures we perform are not difficult in themselves but experience and training... more
William J. Hedden, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

www.heddenmd.com

+2

Selecting a plastic surgeon

I agree with my colleagues here.  I am board-certified by both American Board of Surgery and American Board of Plastic Surgery.  During my general surgery training, I did not learn breast augmentation.  However, I learned to operate abdominal surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, and transplant surgery.  In short, during 5 years of general surgery training, we do not get much exposure in plastic surgery.  You do want to undergo plastic surgery by an... more
Sugene Kim, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+2

Choosing the right surgeon for you

I concur with my colleagues here.  The fact that you are asking this questions shows 1. something in your gut is bothering you about having plastic surgery done by someone trained only in general surgery and 2. you have great insight into proper training.   I do recommend that you visit with a plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Here is one thought:  don't think about... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+2

Choosing a surgeon

Obviously something is bothering you otherwise you would not have posted this question. Like many of the responding doctors I was a fully trained board certified general surgeon before I completed my plastic surgery training and certification. Looking back although I could place breast implants without difficulty before plastic surgery training there is no way I could have obtained consistent results or handled the numerous possible complications of this surgery. For me to say only go to... more
Aaron Stone, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Choose a Board Certified Plastic Surgeons

I completed both a general surgery residency and a plastic surgery fellowship.  I am board certified in both general surgery and plastic surgery.  I simply did not learn the technical nuisances and management of complication of plastic surgery during my general surgery training.  You deserve the best available, choose wisely and pick a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has the proper training and certification to perform your breast augmentation.  To learn more... more
Vishnu Rumalla, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

tarrantplasticsurgery.com

+2

You Deserve Breast Augmentation by a Specialist

Personal referrals are important, but there is no substitute for specialized training. Don't you deserve the care of the most highly trained specialist?
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breast augmentation by a good general surgeon

You must have some concerns, despite the good reviews about the general surgeon.  Follow your intuition.  See two plastic surgeons in consultation, then make up your mind.
H. Michael Roark, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2

Why you want to see a plastic surgeon

I always wonder why a surgeon who wants to do plastic surgery doesn't get the best possible training to learn plastic surgery.  Couldn't get in to a program?  Didn't want to take the time?  Thought they know enough?  A lot of knowledge, training and experience go into doing breast augmentations.  Every woman  and every breast is a little different.  General surgery training didn't begin to teach me what I needed to know.  Plastic... more
Lori H. Saltz, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+2

Who should do breast augmentation?

My posture on this is that generally you should talk to a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Then lets look at the general surgeon.  General surgeons are usually fine surgeons trained in abdominal surgery etc and certainly they do mastectomies etc.  Being good technical surgeons trained in surgery for years they can certainly learn and adapt well to doing breast augmentation.  I have no problem as long as their work is fine, they are Fellows of... more
George Commons, MD

Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+2

Board Certification

An ASPS board certified Surgeon is a doctor with more than six years of surgical training and experience, with at least three years specifically in plastic surgery. Their training and experience make them uniquely qualified to perform your cosmetic procedure. These surgeons are specifically trained in the art of plastic surgery as well how to treat complications from surgery. The ASPS surgeon is also passionate about plastic surgery...it was not an after thought to... more
Christine Sullivan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Augmentation by a Board Certified General Surgeon?

You may get lucky, beat the odds, and get a good result. I would think that a person planning to go into surgery on the only body they will ever have would at least go to someone who has been trained in that specialty. Breast implants are not as simple as making a hole and putting an implant in it. Size, placement, correction of asymmetry, as well as being able to take care of any complication may occur are important. Techniques to minimize capsular contracture and creating a... more
E. Ronald Finger, MD

Savannah Plastic Surgeon
+1

American Board of Plastic Surgery, Board Certification

Breast augmentation is a very popular procedure and there are always non-plastic surgeons who try to do it. I have heard of dentists doing it, ENT, cardiothoracic surgeons or dermatologists and general surgeons as well. The problem that these doctors have is that they lack the two to three years of plastic surgery training required by the American Board of Plastic Surgery . They may be board certified in their own field of medical training but who knows how they learned to do breast... more
Leo Lapuerta, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Best breast augmantation surgeon

Finding the best breast augmentation surgeon for your breast implant surgery The best breast augmentation surgeon is the one that gives you the results you desire, given the limitations of your anatomy. This seems obvious, but all too often, surgeons try to convince patients to do the procedure that they perform, rather than helping them choose the procedure that will come closest to giving them the result they desire. Research, go to several consults, look at the... more
W. Tracy Hankins, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choose a board certified PLASTIC surgeon...

When choosing to do plastic surgery it is highly recommended to seek out a board certified plastic surgeon.  Having said that you ultimately have to pick a surgeon you are comfortable.  Find out what kind of training this surgeon had.  Many surgeons have been trained in plastic surgery but are not board certified, which requires significant additional testing.  Training is important because you need someone that can handle any potential complication you may... more
Shain A. Cuber, MD

Marlboro Plastic Surgeon
+1

Board certified plastic surgeons.

Not everyone will have the same results after breast augmentation.  It is in your best interest to choose a board certified plastic surgeon.  A lot of times, patients choose to go to a surgeon who is not board certified because their prices are lower. It is a chance only you can choose to take.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Should I have MY Breast Augmentation by a General Surgeon?

Regarding: "Breast Augmentation by a Board Certified General Surgeon? Here is the deal. I have been referred to a surgeon by a very good friend of mine. HER friend just recently got her breasts done by this doctor and she is extremely pleased with her results, and SHE was referred to him by one of HER friends who also saw him and loved her results too! I see very good reviews on him and everyone seems to be very pleased with his work. But he is not board certified for PLASTIC surgery,... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation by a general surgeon?

There is no particular reason why board-certified plastic surgeons would have a monopoly on good results. However, the reason you want to be looked after by a plastic surgeon rather than a general surgeon is for the added expertise and experience a plastic surgeon has to deal with unusual or difficult cases, or in the event of problems that a non-plastic surgeon might not have the training confront. Of course even among plastic surgeons there are degrees of experience with... more
Eric Pugash, MD

Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.vancouvercosmeticsurgery.ca

+1

General Surgeon for a breast augmentation?

As a Board Certified General Surgeon and a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon myself, I can tell you that when I was done with my general surgery training I was in no way prepared to be the best breast augmentaton surgeon I could be.  Two more years of training under the supervision of some of the world's best breast surgeons plus 23 years of practice have made me what I am today.  There is so much more to breast augmentation than just putting in some impants.  Personally, I... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Which surgeon to choose?

I agree with other posters that the true measure of a plastic surgeons merit is how they deal with issues when problems arise.  There is a reason additional years of training are required before one is granted a diplomate to the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Taking a weekend course will not give anyone the requesite knowlege to deal with the breadth of possible issues that can arise.  With all due respect, I would say buyer beware, and recommend you see a doctor... more
Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Board Certification in Plastic Surgery

The only board certification in plastic surgery is conveyed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  In my state anyone can claim to be a plastic surgeon and can be board certified (in family practice, ob-gyn, ENT, etc.).  Always ask who is the certifiying board.  Only you can decide your comfort level with a general surgeon performing your augmentation.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choosing Surgon for Breast Augmentation

Actually an interesting question you provide.  For most people the place to start is going to be interviewing surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  The next thing to look at is actual experience and results. Those things don't naturally overlap.  So you need is the best of both worlds.  The general surgeon you are speaking of could be one that actually did get some significant plastic surgery training along the lines, but that... more
Byron D. Poindexter, MD

Reston Plastic Surgeon
+1

It may be a very expensive alternative

I want to ask you a simple question.  Would you go to a plastic surgeon to have your colon removed for a colon cancer?  Would you go to a gynecologist to have a neurosurgical operation on your brain?  Then why would you not go to a plastic surgeon to have a breast augmentation.  Can the general surgeon handle the complexities of capsules if they occur, or a lift if needed?  I suggest you see a board certified plastic surgeon rather than take your chances, you may... more
Steven Schuster, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Don't skimp on your surgeon

I have been doing breast augmentation for a long time now. I remember thinking how easy it was to do a breast augmentation when I was a resident in training. Since then, after years of experience I still find nuance in every patient that make getting an excellent result challenging. No two cases are exactly the same and your surgeon needs to have the experience to see that. The proper plan pre op is essential. The real mark of good surgeon is one that avoids complications and just as... more
Thomas R. Walek, MD

Providence Plastic Surgeon
+1

Board certified PLASTIC SURGEON

I fully agree with Dr. Sullivan.  Another point is that Board certified Plastic Surgeons are better trained to deal with the possible complications that can develop from breast augmentation so they can be well prepared in case something unfortunate happens. Other board certified doctors may perform the procedure when all goes well but they may not be adequately trained for dealing with the complications should they occur. I wish you the best of luck!   Dana... more
Dana Khuthaila, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drkhuthaila.com

+1

Plastic surgeon or General Surgeon

A general surgeon is not usually specifically trained to do breast augmentation.  Your friend may have in fact done very well but you should think about what is considered the standard of care in your area.  I would submit , the minimum qualifications to include board certification by the ASPS. 
Stephen Delia, M.D.

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast augmentation

Board certification implies that the surgeon has undergone the proper training and has satisfied this by passing a vigorous examination process.  there are many surgeons around this country who perform cosmetic/plastic surgery without being board certified, and on occasion, the results are excellent, and sometimes the results can be disastrous.  Make your decisions wisely.
Shahin Javaheri, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Plastic surgeon

I think that you are better off going to a board certified plastic surgeon to get breast augmentation surgery done.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Board certification

I would submit that the true measure of a good plastic surgeon is not how well they do when things "go right", but how they respond if  you have a complication or problem. Our aim as board-certified plastic surgeons is to minimize any complications, but we are also trained in how to address any concerns or problems that may happen. Trust  me, if you have done enough surgery, even world-famous  plastic surgeons will have an occasional problem.  A lot of "non... more
Francisco Canales, MD

Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

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