Facial Plastic Surgery Q&A
Facial Plastic Surgerybefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

627 people and 134 doctors are talking about Facial Plastic Surgery

Get Free Email Updates

Doctors Certification Confusion, How Do I Know What I Should be Looking for?

asked 8 months ago by Zsa-Zsa in Cornersville, TN
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 104 times
Tags: board certification, credentials

I have a question about credentials and board certification (for a face lift, mid-face and brow lift.) I have found a doctor I like but I’m confused about his Certifications. His Certification is with the “American Board of Otolaryngology” and not the “American Board of Plastic Surgery”. Does that matter? He is also board certified by “American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery” & a Fellow in “American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery”. I'm confused .....

8 answers to Doctors Certification Confusion, How Do I Know What I Should be Looking for?

+1

Doctors certification

The American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery are both excellent qualifications for surgeons to perform facial cosmetic surgery. The American Board of Otolaryngology, otherwise known as ear, nose, and throats doctors, is an additional certification that a facial plastic surgeon must go through prior to receiving his facial plastic surgery board certification. The American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery is an organization, and membership... more
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choosing a surgeon

The doctor is an Otolaryngologist and should be adequately trained for a cosmetic procedure of the face. Many Otolaryngologists refer to themselves as Facial Plastic Surgeons just like many Ophthalmologists refer themselves and Oculoplastic Surgeons. The Ophthalmologist should be more than qualified to operate on your eyelids. Don't let the word "Plastic" throw you. Plastic Surgeons lost the fight to prevent others from using the word "Plastic" many years ago... more
Aaron Stone, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Board certification confusion

Facial plastic surgery is a subspecialty unto itself. The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery requires doctors to be certified by either the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the American Board of Otolaryngology first in order to qualify to take the ABFPRS exam. They then must submit 100 cases for review and take a 2 day written and oral exam to become ABFPRS certified. Your doctor has the appropriate credentials for the procedures you are seeking. Go to... more
Michael L. Schwartz, MD

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Certifications and Choosing a Surgeon

It sounds like the doctor you have seen is an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor who has completed additional training in plastic surgery of the face. This means that they are qualified to perform the procedures you are interested in- but I would be very worried of this doctor offered you liposuction of your abdomen (clearly not part of facial plastic surgery training). As in all cases, given this information, your choices should depend on your relationship with the doctor, the... more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

It is critical that your surgeon is board certified.

At the same time, board certification is no guarantee that your surgeon has the aesthetic skills you need to have a successful surgical outcome. It is essential to understand that much of the confusion is surgeon created and arises from economic competition among competing surgical subspecialties. The principle surgeons providing aesthetic services are general plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, oculofacial plastic surgeons, and dermatologists. Secondary specialities... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Board certification

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is the specialty that focuses on surgery of the head and neck, including esthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face. Some Otolaryngology specialists go on to acquire further specialized training in facial plastic surgery, either cosmetic, reconstructive, or both. Doctors from either Otolaryngology or Plastic Surgery may chose to become certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. To be eligible to do so, they must... more
Mark Samaha, MD

Montreal Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Certification in plastic surgery

You are correct in that your doctor is not a "plastic surgeon" in the sense of being a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. However, he does have the credentials to do what you want if you like him and the photos of the work he has shown you.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Excellent credentials

Rhinoplasty surgeons generally fall into two categories- Facial plastic surgeons (ABFPRS) train in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) and facial plastic surgery and general plastic surgeons (ABPS) who train in general surgery and general plastic surgery, including the breast, body and the face. Facial plastic surgeons feel their training is better for treating both the form AND the function of the nose. There are also general plastic surgeons who excel in rhinoplasty. The most important... more
J. Charles Finn, MD

Raleigh-Durham Facial Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question