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What is the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery?
As a nurse I probably should know the answer, yet I cannot figure out what is the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Who can be a member? Are they board certified doctors? I am looking for a breast surgeon for augmentation and ran across this confusion.
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10 Doctor Answers |
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anon
+6
This is a great question
The American Board of Specialties (ABMS) only recognizes a certain group of specialities. Plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ( ABMS certified). ENT doctors who are trained to do cosmetic surgery of the head and neck are certified by their own group. Then there are other doctors who want to say that they are certified by a group that recognizes their ability to do cosmetic surgery - even though they may never have completed recognized training is Plastic...
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+5
Here are the facts as I see them.
Here are the facts as I see them. I have tried to be as accurate as possible to avoid any confusion or misinterpretation. If there are any additional facts that I have omitted please correct me.
What is the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only sub-specialties board for cosmetic plastic surgery recognized by the American Medical Association. Since its recognition in 1941, this organization has regulated and certified surgeons for plastic and...
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+4
Confusion is what they are banking on.
Jessica,
They are creating confusion as a smoke screen masking the true meaning and definition of "board certification." The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is a body that is NOT recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, ABMS, the only true certifying body in the United States. It's that simple.
+4
Look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is a branch plastic surgery and has been taught in residency programs for decades, culminating in certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Diplomates of the board particpate in many professional and eduactional local and national organizations, the largest of which are the American Society of Plastic Surgery and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Both publish reviewed journals, organize national educational meetings, and information is...
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+3
Cosmetic Surgeon Vs. Plastic Surgeon
This is a great question.
Physicians of many specialties are members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Membership does not require a surgical residency in plastic surgery, or any formal surgical training whatsoever.
The reason family practice physicians, internists and even pediatricians are turning to "cosmetic surgery" is greed. This practice is legal, but unsafe, and in my opinion, unethical. It also creates confusion for consumers. Many people know to...
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+3
AACS is a shortcut!
Excellent question!
To become board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a plastic surgeon must first complete intensive training in an accredited training program. Thereafter, the surgeon must pass rigorous written and oral examinations given by the board. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is one of only 24 accredited specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and is the only board recognized by the ABMS to certify a surgeon in...
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+3
It is confusing - by design!
As the other doctors have said so well, the American Board of Medical Specialties does not recognize the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. This is primarily a group of physicians who have not been trained and Board Certifed as Plastic Surgeons. In order to get a foothold in this competitive marketplace, the non-plastic surgeons have established various "look alike" Academies and Boards in order to confuse the public into thinking that they are equal to real plastic surgeons....
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+2
There's only one recognized board for plastic surgeons
Plastic surgery procedures have some attraction for non-plastic surgeons (individuals who are not trained as plastic surgeons and who are not board eligible to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, including physicians like gynecologists, internal medicine doctors, etc.)
This attraction has created pressure for the formation of bodies to "certify" physicians looking for credibility.
There is only one recognized board for plastic surgeons - that is the American...
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+1
What "board-certified" actually means
The question you ask is probably answered better by asking, what does board certified actually mean?
In the United States, there is a non-profit organization called the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The ABMS is composed of members from 14 medical specialty boards. Most hospitals require that physicians either be Board Certified by one of the member boards of the ABMS, or be board-eligible in order to gain credentials at the hospital.
Board-eligible applies to physicians who...
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+1
AACS - complicated answer
It would be great if there were a simple answer. I am sure there is a website outlining the criteria for membership in the Academy, but there are a great many practitioners in the world of cosmetic surgery now and they come from a variety of backgrounds.
For a long time, the accepted standard was board certification from a board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties; the member board here is the American Board of Plastic Surgery (the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is...
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