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What Exactly is the ABFPRS?

asked 2 years ago by Doberman in Los Angeles
Latest answer by Shervin Naderi, MD
Question viewed 509 times
Tags: credentials

I am wondering what exactly is the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and what the requirements are to be certified by this board?

Should it raise a red flag if a doctor went to a first-rate undergrad and medical school, but only has certification from this Board?

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To see the criteria RealSelf uses to list a doctor as a Facial Plastic Surgeon, please visit our Professional Policies.  Doctors listed as a 'Facial Plastic Surgeon' on RealSelf are eligible to discuss treatments and procedures for any "neck-up" procedures, including those of the face, ear, nose and throat areas.  As always, consumers should do their due-diligence in researching an individual doctors experience and credentials when choosing their surgeon.

 

9 answers to What Exactly is the ABFPRS?

+4

The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Contrary to the needlessly inflammatory and incorrect remark made by Dr. Kasden, the ABFPRS is a well recognized board that certifies Facial Plastic Surgeons. Its reasons for not being included in the ABMS are politically related, not quality related. For an overview of a history of "turf battles", I would recommend you visit the ABFPRS website (In my experience, Surgeons are generally more interested in turf battles than patients). Because of the high quality... more
+4

AAFPRS and the ABFPRS are two separate organizations

Greetings Doberman, You raise two separate questions and some clarification is in order. AAFPRS The American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery is an organization of physicians who perform facial plastic surgery. The orgranization is dedicated to education, humanitarian projects, and certain political advocacy. There is no certification process though there are some membership requirements. For more information visit http://www.aafprs.org ABFPRS The American Board of... more
+3

AAFPRS and board certification

The AAFPRS stands for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. It is an organization that most facial plastic surgeons in the United States belong to. The board certification for facial plastic surgeons is administered by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. It is a very difficult examination. To become eligible to become board certified in facial plastic surgery, the surgeon must be board-certified in ear, nose, and throat... more
+3

You can go to the AAFPRS site to read about the board.

 This group of plastic surgeons specialize in the face. There is economic competition between this group and the plastic surgeons who operate all over the body. Both groups have excellent surgeons and poor surgeons. The results each surgeon obtains is what is important. Certification by either group is a minimum standard and not a guarantee of an excellent result.
+3

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS)

Hi Doberman, The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) is the world's largest specialty association that represents over 2,700 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons throughout the world. The AAFPRS is a National Medical Specialty Society of the American Medical Association (AMA), and holds an official seat in both the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons board of governors. AAFPRS members are board certified surgeons whose focus... more
+2

American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery board certification is rigorous

Certification by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) involves a rigorous process nicely described by Dr. Verret and Dr. Prendiville. The ABFPRS is recognized as equivalent to all other ABMS boards in all 50 states. The ABFPRS requires board certification by either the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery OR the American Board of Plastic Surgery (both of which are ABMS specialty boards) as a PREREQUISITE... more
+1

Fact vs opinion

The fact is that the ABFPRS has long been given equivalency to the ABPS by all 50 states. There is a USA TODAY article that I posted its link below for you. You can read it. The rest is politics and you don't need to worry about politics. For example Spine Surgeons can come from an Orthopedic surgery back ground or Neurosurgery back ground. But for some reason the orthopedic spine surgeons dont try to put down the neurosurgeon spine surgeons the... more
+1

ABFPRS

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons is not a board certification per se. It is a group of board certified doctors that specialize in facial surgery. Most come from an ENT training background but not all do. I personally come from a plastic surgery training background. No red flags here.
+1

My personal opinion is that AAFPRS is a sham

My opinion is also that people who say they are "board certified in cosmetic surgery" are also claiming a sham certification. I only consider specialty boards recognized by "The American Board of Medical Specialties" as legitimate. You may visit the web site (link below). If it "ain't" one of the 24 recognized medical specialties, keep on walking. Again my personal opinion is that people who make these claims are puffing their own credentials, and not being... more

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