Which credentials are best to go with: American Academy Cosmetic Surgeon or Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Question

I have a general understand the difference between the two. I'm in between a AACS cosmetic surgeon and a ABPS Plastic Surgeon. I am getting a breast lift, breast implants, and a tummy tuck. The AACS surgeon is extremely popular, great reviews, #1 in the city, AACS program director. I am in love with the AACS surgeon belly button shaping, low cut belly scar. You can tell they perfected it. Doctors, thoughts on going with a AACS cosmetic surgeon?

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

It seems like you keep asking the same question over and over again in different ways. Perhaps you are not getting the answer you want so you keep trying? Here is the bottom line, the AACS, or any other “cosmetic board” for that matter, is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. This means that it is a group of doctors who got together and made their own “board” to tag themselves as “certified.” It is not even a question of which is better, one is a validated and recognized board certification (ABPS) and the other is not. That being said, you seem hell bent on going with the cosmetic surgeon, so stop asking the advice of trusted surgeons on here and just go forward with what you want. I honestly hope everything goes well for you and you get the results you want, but in the case that things do not go as planned, I am willing to bet the doctors in this community who have answered your questions multiple times will have a big bunch of “I told you so’s” ready for you.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Thank you for your important question.  There are major differences between a board certified plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon.  Plastic surgeons are certified under the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  This is the only aesthetic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.  Plastic surgeons undergo at least six years of surgical residency which focuses on reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries. Choosing your surgeon can impact both your safety and your surgical results.

Donald R. Revis Jr, MD · Answer

Good afternoon,
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the ONLY certification in plastic surgery that counts- it requires many years of training and examination to be granted. You, too, could be a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons for the price of a self-addressed stamped envelope (I'm joking but the AACS is a joke also). The AACS is for all the non-plastic surgeons (eye doctors, dermatologists, ENT docs) who want to pretend to be real plastic surgeons.

Jules Feledy, Jr., MD · Answer

The ABPS is one of the specialties that is certified through the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS). The ABPS is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (AAPS). The AACS is not.

Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACS · Answer

American Board of Plastic Surgery! I wish you the best of luck. Vasileios Vasilakis, MD. Double board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, Houston. TX.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

AACS is an organization that can include not only plastic surgeons but ENT facial plastic surgeons and dermatologists.  Those are fine if you are having facial surgery or laser done. American board of plastic surgeons only certified surgeons trained in all aspects of plastic surgery and have completed a plastic surgery residency. If you are having major body work done I would recommend  an ABPS surgeon

Which credentials are best to go with: American Academy Cosmetic Surgeon or Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Answers (12)

Answer: ABPS is the Gold Standard

Answer: ABPS is the Gold Standard

Answer: American Board of Plastic Surgery

Answer: American Board of Plastic Surgery

Answer: Credentials

Answer: Credentials

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Which credentials are best to go with: American Academy Cosmetic Surgeon or Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Answers (12)

Answer: ABPS is the Gold Standard

Answer: ABPS is the Gold Standard

Answer: American Board of Plastic Surgery

Answer: American Board of Plastic Surgery

Answer: Credentials

Answer: Credentials

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.