I found a Dr that I really like with an American Board of Cosmetic Surgery Certification.. Is that adequate, or does he need to be a member of different societies? He is also a faculty member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Physicians. I'm doing a Mommy Makeover, and only want to do it once!
Answer: ABCS certification--this is NOT an ABMS Board, and this physician is NOT a "real" plastic surgeon.
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is NOT an American Board of Medical Specialties member Board--it is a self-designated "board" that "certifies" physicians of various specialties who wish to perform cosmetic surgery procedures--doctors with significantly less true surgical training (and often only via weekend "courses") than American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeons. That is why they call themselves "cosmetic surgeons;" they are NOT fully-trained "real" plastic surgeons!
I like my Internal Medicine doctor a lot, but NO WAY would I want him performing plastic surgery of ANY KIND on me or a loved one. The same goes for Dermatologists, Family Practitioners, and General Surgeons, all of whom can obtain "certification" by the "American Board of Cosmetic Surgery."
Being a faculty member only means that this non-plastic surgeon "teaches" other non-plastic surgeons how to confuse gullible patients into thinking they will obtain care equivalent to that obtainable from a fully-trained, ABPS-certified "real" plastic surgeon!
Not even a properly-trained, American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified, experienced plastic surgeon can guarantee mommy makeover results, but you have a much higher chance of sucessful outcome and superior results with a surgeon who has completed the FULL training (6-7 years) to become a plastic surgeon, not just a few weeks, months, or just a couple of weekend courses after their training in an entirely different specialty that has little or nothing to do with plastic surgery..
Click on the link below for a New York Times article about this very topic! Then schedule some consultations with several "real" plastic surgeons--American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified. Best wishes and thanks for asking!
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Answer: ABCS certification--this is NOT an ABMS Board, and this physician is NOT a "real" plastic surgeon.
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is NOT an American Board of Medical Specialties member Board--it is a self-designated "board" that "certifies" physicians of various specialties who wish to perform cosmetic surgery procedures--doctors with significantly less true surgical training (and often only via weekend "courses") than American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeons. That is why they call themselves "cosmetic surgeons;" they are NOT fully-trained "real" plastic surgeons!
I like my Internal Medicine doctor a lot, but NO WAY would I want him performing plastic surgery of ANY KIND on me or a loved one. The same goes for Dermatologists, Family Practitioners, and General Surgeons, all of whom can obtain "certification" by the "American Board of Cosmetic Surgery."
Being a faculty member only means that this non-plastic surgeon "teaches" other non-plastic surgeons how to confuse gullible patients into thinking they will obtain care equivalent to that obtainable from a fully-trained, ABPS-certified "real" plastic surgeon!
Not even a properly-trained, American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified, experienced plastic surgeon can guarantee mommy makeover results, but you have a much higher chance of sucessful outcome and superior results with a surgeon who has completed the FULL training (6-7 years) to become a plastic surgeon, not just a few weeks, months, or just a couple of weekend courses after their training in an entirely different specialty that has little or nothing to do with plastic surgery..
Click on the link below for a New York Times article about this very topic! Then schedule some consultations with several "real" plastic surgeons--American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified. Best wishes and thanks for asking!
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Answer: ABCS Certified Physicians Are Not Real Plastic Surgeons!
Today's Mommy Makeover surgery requires a technically skillful, as well as artistic surgeon, who understands wound healing, when to drain and when not to drain, how to create an exceptional belly button, how to get minimal scarring, how to get the correct placement of nipples and implants, how to avoid capsular contractures (the scar around implants which make your breasts feel hard), when to put multiple surgeries together and when to separate them based on your health, desires, medical history, smoking history, etc. What you are looking for here is a surgeon who has been trained in the classical, general/plastic surgery program. This surgeon is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery under the auspices of the American Board of Medical Specialists.
Board certification by the above Board is meant to give you confidence that the surgeon you pick has been tested by some of the best people in the field of plastic surgery. Physicians not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery may or may not be good. You do not want to be the decision making person, leave that decision up to the experts. In the United States, you have over 5,000 choices of surgeons who have gone through a recognized residency in plastic surgery.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: ABCS Certified Physicians Are Not Real Plastic Surgeons!
Today's Mommy Makeover surgery requires a technically skillful, as well as artistic surgeon, who understands wound healing, when to drain and when not to drain, how to create an exceptional belly button, how to get minimal scarring, how to get the correct placement of nipples and implants, how to avoid capsular contractures (the scar around implants which make your breasts feel hard), when to put multiple surgeries together and when to separate them based on your health, desires, medical history, smoking history, etc. What you are looking for here is a surgeon who has been trained in the classical, general/plastic surgery program. This surgeon is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery under the auspices of the American Board of Medical Specialists.
Board certification by the above Board is meant to give you confidence that the surgeon you pick has been tested by some of the best people in the field of plastic surgery. Physicians not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery may or may not be good. You do not want to be the decision making person, leave that decision up to the experts. In the United States, you have over 5,000 choices of surgeons who have gone through a recognized residency in plastic surgery.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
April 8, 2012
Answer: Find a REAL Plastic Surgeon for your Mommy Makeover
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only recognized Board Specialty for aesthetic (i.e. "plastic surgery" and "cosmetic surgery"). There are 23 boards that are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is NOT one of these. The American Society of Plastic Surgeon is launching a campaign to educate the public "Just because a doctor wears a white coat doesn't mean he is a plastic surgeon" . This statement is very appropriate in this "buyer beware" environment perspective patients have to negotiate to find someone well trained.
Here are some tips to find the most qualified plastic surgeon for your Mommy Makeover:
• Verify Board Certification by American Board of Plastic Surgery (do this online)
• Member of American Society of Plastic Surgery (requirements beyond Board Certification)
• Member of American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (indicates extensive experience in aesthetic surgery - see below link)
• Look at online review sites - like RealSelf, Health Grades,RateMDs, Google, etc
• Look at Before and After photos
• What is my instinct or "gut reaction" as to who I relate to better, answers my questions more fully and who I basically trust the most.
• Finally ask yourself - if I was to have a complication, who would be the best to take care of me.
Helpful
April 8, 2012
Answer: Find a REAL Plastic Surgeon for your Mommy Makeover
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only recognized Board Specialty for aesthetic (i.e. "plastic surgery" and "cosmetic surgery"). There are 23 boards that are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is NOT one of these. The American Society of Plastic Surgeon is launching a campaign to educate the public "Just because a doctor wears a white coat doesn't mean he is a plastic surgeon" . This statement is very appropriate in this "buyer beware" environment perspective patients have to negotiate to find someone well trained.
Here are some tips to find the most qualified plastic surgeon for your Mommy Makeover:
• Verify Board Certification by American Board of Plastic Surgery (do this online)
• Member of American Society of Plastic Surgery (requirements beyond Board Certification)
• Member of American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (indicates extensive experience in aesthetic surgery - see below link)
• Look at online review sites - like RealSelf, Health Grades,RateMDs, Google, etc
• Look at Before and After photos
• What is my instinct or "gut reaction" as to who I relate to better, answers my questions more fully and who I basically trust the most.
• Finally ask yourself - if I was to have a complication, who would be the best to take care of me.
Helpful
March 29, 2012
Answer: “Self proclaimed board versus a legitimate board”
The multitude of alphabet soup organizations and boards is very confusing for patients. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) sound nearly the same, but there are vast differences. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is a real nationally recognized board, while the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is a self proclaimed group of individuals who wanted to try to legitimize their entry into the field of cosmetic surgery without the required legitimate credentials (actual completion of formal supervised plastic surgery training and board certification). They have specifically chosen that name for a marketing benefit based on deception.
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) oversees 24 medical specialty boards in the United States and is considered the gold standard of physician certification in the United States. While the naming of the boards seems similar, there is only one official plastic surgery board that is accepted in the U.S. and recognized by the ABMS as the standard for plastic surgery - and that is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The designation as a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery is reserved for surgeons that have completed a lengthy surgical residency training in plastic surgery, and then passed both the official extensive written and oral examinations under the strict rules of the ABMS organization. It is the highest standard available in the U.S. for plastic surgeons. Members of the American Board of Plastic Surgery are listed on both the ABPS’ and ABMS’ websites.
The ABCS and several other so-called boards with similar sounding names are not recognized by the ABMS. ABCS is a self-designated "board" that "certifies" physicians of various specialties who wish to perform cosmetic surgery procedures--doctors who may have minimal if any true surgical training (and often only via weekend "courses”). They accept and credential physicians who do not necessarily have residency training in plastic surgery including general surgeons, emergency medicine doctors, family practitioners dermatologists, obstetric-gynecologists and others who can take their "certification" exam...without ever having undergone a single day of plastic surgery residency training. In some cases they have no formal surgery residency training at all.
Furthermore, there are no cosmetic surgery certifications that are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialists, nor is there any “board”, organization or academy that has the word “cosmetic” in it that is recognized by the ABMS. In addition the Medical Board of California formally rejected the ABCS’ application and request to be recognized as having legitimate board status. That rejection was legally upheld.
An additional understanding of the alphabet of valid plastic surgical organizations is beneficial. Members of the American Board of Plastic Surgery are able to become members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Membership is an indication of appropriate prerequisite plastic surgery training, board certification and adherence to a board of ethical practice guidelines. Members of the American Society of plastic surgery can be found at the American Society of Plastic Surgery web site.
Board certified plastic surgeons in the United States as well as certified plastic surgeon from other countries can become members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). These surgeons have appropriate prerequisite plastic surgery training, board certification, adherence to a board of ethical practice guidelines, and a specific focus and experience in aesthetic (cosmetic) plastic surgery.
Since there are risks in any surgical procedure and no one can guarantee a perfect result, a patient should seek the most fully trained individual for plastic surgical procedures like a “mommy makeover” to maximize the probability of a good outcome. Your health and well being depend on it. If a member of my family or staff were to undergo the procedure, I would insist that they seek out a real plastic surgeon who is board certified as a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Robert Singer, MD FACS
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 29, 2012
Answer: “Self proclaimed board versus a legitimate board”
The multitude of alphabet soup organizations and boards is very confusing for patients. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) sound nearly the same, but there are vast differences. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is a real nationally recognized board, while the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is a self proclaimed group of individuals who wanted to try to legitimize their entry into the field of cosmetic surgery without the required legitimate credentials (actual completion of formal supervised plastic surgery training and board certification). They have specifically chosen that name for a marketing benefit based on deception.
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) oversees 24 medical specialty boards in the United States and is considered the gold standard of physician certification in the United States. While the naming of the boards seems similar, there is only one official plastic surgery board that is accepted in the U.S. and recognized by the ABMS as the standard for plastic surgery - and that is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The designation as a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery is reserved for surgeons that have completed a lengthy surgical residency training in plastic surgery, and then passed both the official extensive written and oral examinations under the strict rules of the ABMS organization. It is the highest standard available in the U.S. for plastic surgeons. Members of the American Board of Plastic Surgery are listed on both the ABPS’ and ABMS’ websites.
The ABCS and several other so-called boards with similar sounding names are not recognized by the ABMS. ABCS is a self-designated "board" that "certifies" physicians of various specialties who wish to perform cosmetic surgery procedures--doctors who may have minimal if any true surgical training (and often only via weekend "courses”). They accept and credential physicians who do not necessarily have residency training in plastic surgery including general surgeons, emergency medicine doctors, family practitioners dermatologists, obstetric-gynecologists and others who can take their "certification" exam...without ever having undergone a single day of plastic surgery residency training. In some cases they have no formal surgery residency training at all.
Furthermore, there are no cosmetic surgery certifications that are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialists, nor is there any “board”, organization or academy that has the word “cosmetic” in it that is recognized by the ABMS. In addition the Medical Board of California formally rejected the ABCS’ application and request to be recognized as having legitimate board status. That rejection was legally upheld.
An additional understanding of the alphabet of valid plastic surgical organizations is beneficial. Members of the American Board of Plastic Surgery are able to become members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Membership is an indication of appropriate prerequisite plastic surgery training, board certification and adherence to a board of ethical practice guidelines. Members of the American Society of plastic surgery can be found at the American Society of Plastic Surgery web site.
Board certified plastic surgeons in the United States as well as certified plastic surgeon from other countries can become members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). These surgeons have appropriate prerequisite plastic surgery training, board certification, adherence to a board of ethical practice guidelines, and a specific focus and experience in aesthetic (cosmetic) plastic surgery.
Since there are risks in any surgical procedure and no one can guarantee a perfect result, a patient should seek the most fully trained individual for plastic surgical procedures like a “mommy makeover” to maximize the probability of a good outcome. Your health and well being depend on it. If a member of my family or staff were to undergo the procedure, I would insist that they seek out a real plastic surgeon who is board certified as a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Robert Singer, MD FACS
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
February 28, 2012
Answer: Board certified? ABCS is not a recognized board unlike the American board of plastic surgery which is the only certification for true plastic surgeons. You will probably notice that your surgeon is not on realself because his qualifications are not adequate to even be listed. Check closely and I suspect you will find that your surgeon is actually an oral surgeon or ear nose and throat doctor, or possibly has no formal training. None of the titles will be plastic surgeon and none of them would be able to do a mommy makeover in a hospital. This is a quick test that's easy to do. Only a real plastic surgeon will have actual hospital privileges to do cosmetic procedures. A lesser surgeon won't have privileges because their training is not recognized and their certification is unacceptable for hospital credentialing committees. Beware.
Helpful
February 28, 2012
Answer: Board certified? ABCS is not a recognized board unlike the American board of plastic surgery which is the only certification for true plastic surgeons. You will probably notice that your surgeon is not on realself because his qualifications are not adequate to even be listed. Check closely and I suspect you will find that your surgeon is actually an oral surgeon or ear nose and throat doctor, or possibly has no formal training. None of the titles will be plastic surgeon and none of them would be able to do a mommy makeover in a hospital. This is a quick test that's easy to do. Only a real plastic surgeon will have actual hospital privileges to do cosmetic procedures. A lesser surgeon won't have privileges because their training is not recognized and their certification is unacceptable for hospital credentialing committees. Beware.
Helpful
February 23, 2012
Answer: BUYER BEWARE!!! ONLY GO WITH A BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON FOR COSMETIC SURGERY
Please do your homework! The American Board of Plastic Surgery requires rigorous training and testing for all of their surgeons. The "other" board pretty much lets anyone into their "club" without the same training as a board certified plastic surgeon!!!!
Helpful
February 23, 2012
Answer: BUYER BEWARE!!! ONLY GO WITH A BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON FOR COSMETIC SURGERY
Please do your homework! The American Board of Plastic Surgery requires rigorous training and testing for all of their surgeons. The "other" board pretty much lets anyone into their "club" without the same training as a board certified plastic surgeon!!!!
Helpful