If a doctor is board eligible is it safe to get surgery done by them?

Question

If a doctor is board eligible is it safe to get surgery done by him. What does that men? Why wouldn't he be board certified? Is he able to perform surgery without being certified? Thank you

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. While board eligible surgeons may be capable of performing the surgery, a board certified surgeon has undergone a rigorous process of evaluation by a national group of leaders in the field of plastic surgery to assure your safety and optimized results. I hope this helps.

Andrea Martin, MD · Answer

This is a great question! Board certification is a multi-step process that takes well over a year to achieve, and for some, it may be longer. To achieve board certification, you have to graduate from either an integrated residency program, or a plastic surgery fellowship. You can then take the written exam portion of board certification, which, if you pass, makes you "Board Eligible." You then spend several months "collecting" a minimum number of "cases" (aka performing surgery) on which you will be tested during the oral exam portion, which is more than one year after the written exam, if you have enough cases. Each exam is offered only once per year. All in all, it's a very long vetting process that every Board Certified Plastic Surgeon has gone through.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear ncrk4524,
finding the right Dr. is extremely challenging, especially with the number of online platforms and resources available. There a lot of great Dr's available. Make sure he/she is a board-certified plastic surgeon. Definitely check to make sure your choice specializes in the procedure you want and spend the time to read through patient testimonials. There is a number of different sites where you can check for reviews (Realself, yelp, google, etc.).You can always pick up the phone and call around also, find an office you feel comfortable with and set up a few consultations. 
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

A Board eligible Plastic Surgeon means that your surgeon has completed a certified Plastic Surgery fellowship program.  After completion of a program, one must pass both a written and oral board examination before they are board certified.  Some Plastic Surgeons fresh out of training have not yet performed enough procedures to have their cases reviewed to become board certified.
Others have not been able to pass the exams and are several years post training and still not certified.
I look for board certified physicians or board eligible recently out of training whenever I need appointments.
Best wishes.
Dr. Taranow

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Just as patient selection is one of the most critical prerequisites to providing successful body contouring results, as is selection of a skilled surgeon. To obtain optimal results, you should have your surgery performed by a board certified surgeon that is skilled and experienced in his craft and in managing patient specific nuances. To be board certified is a mark of distinction. Being board certified eligible denotes lack of experience in cosmetic operative management that can lend itself to preventable mistakes often accounted for by more established surgeons.

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Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD,FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

James Fernau, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. It is extremely important to see a board-certified surgeon. This means they have all the experience and credentials to be doing what they are doing. Someone that does not have this credential is not someone you would want to consult with for your procedure. Best of luck to you!

Sincerely, James Fernau, MD 
FACS Aesthetic Surgery Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery Certified, American Board of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery Member: American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) American Academy of Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery (AAOHNS) American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) The Rhinoplasty Society

If a doctor is board eligible is it safe to get surgery done by them?

Answers (6)

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