Why is It Important to Have a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

The difference between a general surgeon who has done some tummy tucks and a real plastic surgeon is training, experience, and focus. I did a full general surgery residency myself, and the exposure to plastic surgery in general surgery training was minimal, and to cosmetic plastic surgery was non-existant. Doctors used to be trained by having them apprentice with another doctor for a while, and then they could hang their own shingle. Fortunately, in the US at least, that... more

A board certified plastic surgeon goes through rigorous training and both a written and oral exam to become board certified. You should ask your doctor if she is preparing for these exams. If she is only a general surgeon, then I would run the other way and find a plastic surgeon.

Despite having delivered babies as a medical student, I would not attempt to help deliver a baby unless it was an "is there a doctor on the plane?" emergency. Although I did hundreds of operation and board certified as a general surgeon, I would not electively take an appendix or a colon because I no longer do so frequently. Similarly, I fail to see the logic of having your Tummy Tuck done by a Family Practice doctor or a Gynecologist. If you want to assure yourself of... more