Mommy makeover: is a cosmetic surgeon okay to use or should only a plastic surgeon for this procedure?

Question

I am a Mom of 4 and about to turn 40 years old. There are several options for plastic surgeons near me. But one doctor that was recommended to me by a friend who had a breast augmentation, is a cosmetic surgeon. He has good reviews and I have verified he is board certified with the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. This is the highest level of training a physician can do in their respective specialty. There are other "certifications" out there that are not at the same level. It is very important to do your research - I would confirm lots of before and afters at a minimum.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether you should go with a cosmetic surgeon or a plastic surgeon for a mommy makeover. I would highly suggest you go with a board-certified plastic surgeon for any kind of plastic surgery procedure. Plastic surgeons spend a significant amount of training on how to perform plastic surgery procedures and know how treat potential complications. Typically, plastic surgeons undergo 5-7 years of general surgery to be then followed by 2-3 years of plastic surgery. This could then be followed by year-long fellowships for subspecialization. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is recognized by the American Board of Specialties. In contrast, cosmetic surgeons only need to apply for certification. Almost any doctor can be called a cosmetic surgeon. In many states, any MD can perform any surgery in his or her surgery center. Board certification in cosmetic surgery is not recognized by the American Board of Specialties. In addition, cosmetic surgeons do not undergo the rigorous surgical training, oral examinations, and written examinations that plastic surgeons undergo. In addition, most cosmetic surgeons do not have admitting privileges to a hospital if something goes wrong. Therefore, in my opinion, if you are seeking plastic surgery, you should go to a plastic surgeon. I hope this helps to answer your questions regarding whether you should go to a plastic surgeon or a cosmetic surgeon for your mommy makeover.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.
(“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. 
(“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS · Answer

Hi BeMerry,
Understanding Board Certification is tricky. By definition, a Board sets clear standards for its members, and holds its members accountable to those standards--in effect, self-policing its membership to make sure everyone maintains a certain standard.
From the American Board of Medical Specialties website:"The boards are not membership societies. Each is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization whose accountability is both to the profession and to the public. The governing body of each board comprises specialists qualified in the particular field represented by that board. Members of the governing bodies include representatives from among the national specialty organizations in related fields."
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (of which I am a proud member) is one of 24 American Board of Medical Specialties Boards, and as such the Board and its members are subject to the rigorous standards noted above.
To achieve Board Certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery, surgeons complete an accredited residency (either six clinical years in an integrated program, or a 5 year general surgery residency plus 3 year plastic surgery fellowship), and then sit for a day-long written examination on general plastic surgery knowledge. Once the written test is passed, surgeons submit all cases performed over a 9 month period to the Board, and subsequently need to pass a face-to-face oral examination to justify how they manage patients in their own practice (patient selection, decision making, surgical skill, ethics, billing--all facets are open for discussion). The entire process takes, at a minimum, 7.5 years after medical school.
The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is not an ABMS board, as noted on the ABMS website (link below). I don't know what their standards are, or if they are as rigorous as the American Board of Plastic Surgery board certification process detailed above. This does not mean that a surgeon who has the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery on their website is not qualified or experienced, but they are not board certified in plastic surgery.
I hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, your surgery should be performed by plastic surgeon certified by the American Boar of Plastic Surgery. I wish you the best of luck. Vasileios Vasilakis, MD. Double board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, Houston. TX.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Cosmetic surgeons have not had the formal training as plastic surgeons. Also, they often do not have privileges in a hospital that is usually required for the procedures you are requesting. If you undergo a mommy makeover by a cosmetic surgeon and have a complication, it is possible that he may not be able to take care of you in the follow-up because he does not have hospital privileges. I am currently treating a patient who underwent cosmetic surgery by a cosmetic surgeon, had multiple infections and I am not taking care of the patient as the original surgeon does not have hospital privileges to do so.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi.  I would recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specifically has good experience with Mommy Makeovers.  Which can, frankly, include a variety of combinations of breast and body procedures.  Good luck and take care,
Dr. Howell

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear lmerry,
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

Matthew Baker, MD · Answer

Hello! ALWAYS have any procedures you are considering performed by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Following completion of medical school, a board-certified plastic surgeon serves first as a surgical resident for at least 3 years where they undergo rigorous training in all aspects of surgery and then 3 years of focused plastic surgery training. The process can take 6 to 8 years or more and many further their training in fellowships including microvascular, craniofacial, hand, pediatric and aesthetic. This is a key differentiator between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon.
A practitioner referring to themselves as a cosmetic surgeon might belong to any medical specialty. He/she could be a general surgeon, gynecologist, dermatologist, family physician, internist, etc. who has decided that they want to perform cosmetic procedures. The training can be anywhere from a one-year cosmetic surgery fellowship to a handful of short weekend courses on topics ranging from how to perform liposuction, utilize injectables, or place breast implants

Lina Rodriguez, MD · Answer

For procedures that require surgery and invasive techniques should only be done by certified and trained plastic surgeons.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I encourage you to select a board certified plastic surgeon for your procedures.  These professionals, myself included, require years of focused training as well as continuing education to earn their status.  You can find a listing of qualified surgeons near you using the ASPS website.  This will give you links to websites allowing you to review credentials as well as see before/after photos.

Mommy makeover: is a cosmetic surgeon okay to use or should only a plastic surgeon for this procedure?

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