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Is a Certification From ABCS the same as ABPS For a Mommy Makeover?

asked 4 months ago by Busy Mama in Liberty Lake, WA
Latest answer by Anureet K. Bajaj, MD
Question viewed 927 times
Tags: board certification, choosing a surgeon

I found a Dr that I really like with an American Board of Cosmetic Surgery Certification.. Is that adequate, or does he need to be a member of different societies? He is also a faculty member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Physicians. I'm doing a Mommy Makeover, and only want to do it once!

33 answers to Is a Certification From ABCS the same as ABPS For a Mommy Makeover?

+7

Get thee to a plastic surgeon

I can only stress to you - use a board certified plastic surgeon. These doctor are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. That is the only board recognized by the American Board of medical Specialties.. Members of the Cosmetic Surgery board could be trained in OB/GYN, dermatology or even internal medicine. You can find a board certified plastic surgeon in your area by going to plasticsurgery.org . This is a classic case of let the buyer beware. ... more
Steven Schuster, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+6

All Board Certification is not Created Equal!

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is the official national overseer of the most competitive, stringent medical boards that provide certification. The American Board of Medicine is one such board under the ABMS. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is another. There are 23 boards that are recognized. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is NOT an ABMS-recognized board. The American Academy of Cosmetic Physicians probably requires no more than sending in a check for a... more
Michele A. Shermak, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.drshermak.com

+6

All cosmetic surgeons are not the same

That is an excellent question and has been a source of confusion and deception for many patients. In fact, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and not the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, is the board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialists. Surgeons board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery have at least 5-6 years of surgery training, and often 7 or 8 years or more. They have also undergone rigorous testing of their... more
Arnold S. Breitbart, MD

Long Island Plastic Surgeon
+6

ABCS

I am sorry to say that this is not a recognized board and likely the training to do this procedure would be risky. Please review surgeons' credentials carefully. Many times, they sound very competent such as the case here. To be sure, visit the ASPS website to pick your plastic surgeon. These plastic surgeons have been verified. Good luck.
Timothy Fee, MD

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
+6

Choose a plastic surgeon carefully

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is not. This is very important and you should further research into what type of training your surgeon has undergone. For example, a gynecologist can take a few courses and become certified by one of these "lesser" boards, such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Physicians. I wouldn't want a gynecologist performing plastic surgery... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+6

Board Certification By The ABPS Makes A Difference

The most rigid and thorough certification process (in my opinion) is through boards recognized by The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Doctors with board certification in these specialties include your family doctors, pediatricians, orthopedists and psychiatrists. Plastic surgeons who have American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certification are the ONLY plastic/cosmetic surgeons recognized by the ABMS to perform breast and body cosmetic surgery. Other specialty trained... more
Douglas L. Gervais, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+5

Find a Real Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Any licensed medical doctor can claim to be a "cosmetic" or "plastic surgeon." When in the need for a neurosurgeon, you would want a real neurosurgeon right? Then choose a real board certified plastic surgeon, one who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Otherwise, your doctor may not have any surgical training much less a plastic surgery residency. I am attaching a great video produced by my wife to help you... more
Paul S. Howard, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon
+5

Go to the American Board of Medical Specialties to see the 24 Real Board Certifications recognized by the ABMS

No, Certification from ABCS is not the same as ABPS, The American Board of Plastic Surgery. Neither the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery nor the American Academy of Cosmetic Physicians are recognized certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties. ABCS and AACP are not real boards. See the attached web reference to gain clarity on which certications are real and which ones are nothing more than a name that sounds good. I hope this helps.
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

+4

Big difference

I concur fully with my colleages. The only certification in plastic surgery recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialities (ABMS) is board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. "Accept no imitations." Approach with caution and visit with a plastic surgeon in your area who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I've listed the website for... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+4

Beware! You are probably not seeing a Plastic Surgeon

I would strongly advise you to be very careful in going to a non-board certified plastic surgeon for plastic surgery. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery in not a real board, and does not represent real board certification. This is a self appointed board without the rigorous requirement for training as with the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is the only board certification for plastic surgery. The majority of members of the America Academy of Cosmetic... more
David B. Reath, MD

Knoxville Plastic Surgeon

plasticsurgeryknoxville.com

+4

Mommy make-over, ABPS is the key to quality and safely

Of the two you mention, only the American Board of Plastic Surgery is recognized by the Board of Medical Specialties and by hospitals as evidence of training and competance in cosmetic surgery including mommy make-over. The surgeon who is not recognized and credentialed at local hospitals for the procedures you seek is probably not the surgeon for you. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+4

ABCS certification--this is NOT an ABMS Board, and this physician is NOT a "real" plastic surgeon.

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is NOT an American Board of Medical Specialties member Board--it is a self-designated "board" that "certifies" physicians of various specialties who wish to perform cosmetic surgery procedures--doctors with significantly less true surgical training (and often only via weekend "courses") than American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeons. That is why they call themselves "cosmetic surgeons;" they are... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+3

American Board of Plastic Surgery Certification is Required

A mommy makeover is a very complex operation that should only be performed by trained plastic surgeons who have been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Many physicians use the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery certification to mislead patients into thinking they are board certified in plastic surgery. Best of Luck, Gary Horndeski, M.D.
Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+3

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thousands of physicians with no residency training in plastic surgery and without certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (the only Board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties that certifies plastic surgeons) promote themselves as `cosmetic surgeons' and `plastic surgeons'. Some are primary care physicians, some are emergency room doctors; some have never completed a residency training program in any specialty and are not eligible to take any... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+3

There is a difference between ABCS and ABPS

There is a distinct difference between someone certified by ABCS and ABPS. American Board of Plastic Surgery is one of the specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. In order to be certified by ABPS the doctor has to undergo specialty training in plastic surgery at an accredited institution usually for three or more years and then undergo a vigorous two part examination based not only on medical knowledge pertinent to plastic surgery but also cases... more
James Tang, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+3

Cosmetic surgeon vs plastic surgeon, ABCS vs ABPS

FACS, ABPS, Aesthetic Society, ASPS FAACS, ABCS Everything in the first line requires board certification in plastic surgery Everything in the second line requires, well, it could be a pediatrician doing your tummy tuck, or an ER doc or a nothing-at-all doc. You decide.
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+3

They are NOT the same

Any doctor in any speciality can apply for and become certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, which is NOT a ABMS recognized speciality. The doctor could be a dermatologist, internest, gynecologist etc, with NO approved training in Plastic surgery. Only a Plastic Surgeon, with at least 5 to 6 years of training in surgery and plastic surgery can be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Also, for the type of procedure you want done, make sure your... more
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+2

“Self proclaimed board versus a legitimate board”

The multitude of alphabet soup organizations and boards is very confusing for patients. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) sound nearly the same, but there are vast differences. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is a real nationally recognized board, while the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is a self proclaimed group of individuals who wanted to try to legitimize their entry into the field of cosmetic surgery without the... more
Robert Singer, MD

La Jolla Plastic Surgeon
+2

The American Board of plasticsurgery and alphabet soup.

It is very confusing for the average patient to understand the variety of letters that go along with credentialing in this country. It's like alphabet soup. The American Board of plastic surgery is the only board in the country that certifies board certified plastic surgeons. Their initials are ABPS. Members of the American Board of plastic surgery are listed on their website. Members of the American Board of plastic surgery are able to become members of the American Society of... more
Adam Tattelbaum, MD

Washington DC Plastic Surgeon

www.atcosmetics.com

+2

Do your homework on board certification

You have gotten very good advice regarding the difference betwen American Board of Plastic Surgery and American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. It is very confusing for patients as the two boards sound nearly the same. Intentionally misleading. Read my blog post for more... York Yates, MD - Utah.
York Jay Yates, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

www.yorkyates.com

+2

Not All Board Certifications Are The Same

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certifies only surgeons who have completed both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery training in accredited residency programs and have passed a rigorous series of written and oral exams. They then may apply for membership in The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Those who specialize in cosmetic Plastic Surgery may apply for membership in The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). You can be assured that surgeons with... more
John Squires, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Don't be fooled by fake boards!!

Stay away from this surgeon!!!!!!!! There are NO cosmetic surgery certifications that are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialists. This is because you can get these 'certifications' by sending in a list of cases and some money. They do not require ANY actual training in plastic surgery. Don't be one of those patients who regret not doing their homework and wind up spending thousands of dollars but get bad results only because they did not go to a real board... more
James McMahan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+2

American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons??

No, No, No. The ABCS is an unregulated self promoting board and is not recognized by the ABMS. That is not to say that there couldn't be a member of that society that might be able to do a good job, but, you better do your homework.
Ronald Schuster, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Looking for a Surgeon

There are a number of specialty boards and types of board certification, but you - as a consumer - need to understand what is involved with each one. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties; the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is not. A surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery has completed at least 3 years of general surgery training and 2-3 years of plastic surgical training. In... more
Anureet K. Bajaj, MD

Oklahoma City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Find a REAL Plastic Surgeon for your Mommy Makeover

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only recognized Board Specialty for aesthetic (i.e. "plastic surgery" and "cosmetic surgery"). There are 23 boards that are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is NOT one of these. The American Society of Plastic Surgeon is launching a campaign to educate the public "Just because a doctor wears a white coat doesn't mean he is a plastic surgeon" . This... more
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Board certification for plastic surgeons

Great question...unfortunately, someone boarded by the ABCS is generally an ear nose and throat surgeon not a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Training for plastics is very specific and only surgeons with specific training in plastic and reconstructive surgery are boarded by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. I would strongly recommend you choose a surgeon with ABPS credentials for your Mommy Makeover surgery
Thomas B. Lintner, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Board certified?

ABCS is not a recognized board unlike the American board of plastic surgery which is the only certification for true plastic surgeons. You will probably notice that your surgeon is not on realself because his qualifications are not adequate to even be listed. Check closely and I suspect you will find that your surgeon is actually an oral surgeon or ear nose and throat doctor, or possibly has no formal training. None of the titles will be plastic surgeon and none of them would be able to... more
Mahlon Kerr, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

BUYER BEWARE!!! ONLY GO WITH A BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON FOR COSMETIC SURGERY

Please do your homework! The American Board of Plastic Surgery requires rigorous training and testing for all of their surgeons. The "other" board pretty much lets anyone into their "club" without the same training as a board certified plastic surgeon!!!!
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

ABCS is not a real board

Thank you for your question. No, ABCS is not the same as ABPS. Check what certification your doctor has and you will probably find out that he/she is NOT a board certified plastic surgeon but rather an Ear/Nose/Throat doctor or general surgeon or something else. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only board certification for Plastic Surgeons which has very high requirements for the surgeon. Be careful!
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Go with the real plastic surgeon

While the naming of the boards seems similar, there is only one official plastic surgery board that is accepted in the U.S. as the standard for plastic surgery - and that is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is for surgeons that have done their residency training in plastic surgery, and passed both the official written and oral examinations under the strict rules of the ABMS organization. It is the highest standard available in the US for plastic surgeons. The... more
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Board certification

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, which is the gold standard. I think it best to seek out a board certification by a diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery for what you desire.
Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

lvcosmeticsurgery.com

+1

Is a Certification From ABCS the same as ABPS For a Mommy Makeover?

Congratulations for asking the right questions. The 2 boards are VERY different. It is very likely that your doctor did his post medical school training (Residency, which is the most important part of medical training) in something OTHER than Plastic Surgery...Ask, and again they will most likely tell you they did training at some specialty program blah blah blah....but not their residency!! Be very careful on this one...
John J. Corey, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is for those who can claim Certification by The American Board of Plastic Surgery

Hi there- I think my colleagues have done an excellent job of explaining the critical differences... Here's the bottom line: I bet if you looked at every single member of the "American Board of Cosmetic Surgery", that you would not find a single one who has Certification by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. I bet that if you also looked at every single Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery, that not a single one claims certification by the... more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

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