Breast Augmentation - cosmetic versus plastic surgeon. Is one a better option?

Dear Luminous210670,

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

Hello, this is Dr. Woo Jung Kim from WOOA Plastic Surgery Korea.
Board-certified plastic surgeons receive comprehensive training in breast surgery throughout their residency programs. Their education covers both aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, ensuring they can safely perform breast augmentation and other breast surgeries.Key areas of their training include:
1. Breast anatomy and physiology - Deep understanding of tissue structures, blood supply, and nerve pathways2. Surgical techniques - Proficiency in implant placement, tissue handling, and shaping methodsImplant expertise - Knowledge of different implant types, sizes, and optimal placement for each patient3. Complication management - Skills to prevent and address potential issues like capsular contracture or implant malposition4. Advanced procedures - Training in microsurgical techniques and reconstructive options5. Safety protocols - Emphasis on patient safety, proper surgical planning, and postoperative care
This specialized training, combined with ongoing education requirements, ensures board-certified plastic surgeons maintain current knowledge of best practices and emerging techniques in breast surgery.

Your absolute best that would be a board certified plastic surgeon who does cosmetic surgery. When looking for a surgeon, the first thing to look for is board certification in plastic surgery. Board certification in cosmetic surgery is not recognized to have the same rigorous training and standards as the surgeon fully trained in plastic surgery. Be careful–the wording gets tricky!

There are numerous practitioners of plastic surgery. However, only a select few are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties).
Board certification ensures completion of a rigorous training program of at least 6 years (with at least 3 years of dedicated plastic surgery training. Board certified surgeons have also completed written and oral examinations to determine competency and participate in a continuing medical education programs as a prerequisite of maintaining certification.
Ultimately, certification ensures a measure of certainty when comparing surgeons. You can be assured that your board certified plastic surgeon has seen and treated it all before and is uniquely qualified to manage you pre-operatively, intra-operatively, and most importantly post-operatively.
It is difficult to know the qualifications of a "cosmetic surgeon" as there is no board recognized by the board of medical specialties for this particular "specialty."

Thank you for your question. When deciding upon a surgeon, one of the issues that comes up is the appropriate credentials to perform said operation. A board-certified plastic surgeon is one who has extensive training in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for at least 6 years, and knows how to handle all types of situations and complications. There are both rigorous written and oral examinations that a board-certified plastic surgeon must pass before gaining the honorific. Cosmetic surgeons may have various backgrounds in surgical training and typically have 1 year of training in cosmetic surgery. A consultation with multiple surgeons may help you decide which is best or right for you. Good luck on your journey!

As a senior attending in one of the recognized Plastic surgery residency programs training Plastic Surgeon to become bored certified Plastic Surgeon this question comes up on a weekly monthly basis. Especially of Plastic surgery includes a sub specialty cosmetic surgery. The training is rigorous and many years up to 6 to 10 years, depending if fellowships are done. Once a Plastic surgery residency and Plastic surgery recognized fellowship are completed the doctor is in a candidate to take an oral and written examination to become board certified. The American border of Plastic surgery is the governing body that is recognized by the government under the American board of medical specialties. There is no board of cosmetic surgery that recognized by the American Board of medical specialties and there are no recognize societies of cosmetic surgery. Therefore cosmetic surgeons have technically not done intensive training in Plastic and cosmetic surgery. Plus, major hospitals do not admit cosmetic surgeons to their surgical staff without the rigorous training requirements in Plastic surgery. Therefore the answer to your question is you’re you’re in better hands with a board certified

Thank you so much for this important question. There is a very big difference between a board certified plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon. A board certified plastic surgeon has gone through at least six years of surgical residency focused on reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. Cosmetic surgeons can come from a variety of backgrounds and typically have less comprehensive training. A board certified plastic surgeon is recommended for safety and optimization of results.