Thank you for your question. I would suggest to be treated by board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results. Respectfully, Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Thank you for your question about locating a surgeon to perform a BBL. To be sure, see two or more experienced, board-certified Plastic Surgeons in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery. I hope this helps.

The American Board of Medical Specialties is a long-standing group that recognizes certain Specialties. They do not recognize a specialty of cosmetic surgery. That came many decades later when a group of various types of doctors wanted to present themselves to the public as "cosmetic surgeons". They can be Obstetricians, pulmonologists, Internal Medicine doctors or any doctor that does a weekend course and can apply to "the board of cosmetic surgery" to get a "certification". You should always ask what, if any , is there American Board of Medical Specialties certification. It is unusual for a board-certified plastic surgeon to call themselves a cosmetic surgeon. Search for an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Hello @Skylard, thank you for your question. Although the titles of plastic surgeon and cosmetic doctor can be confusing, they are different. A plastic surgeon is trained to restore or reconstruct the appearance and function and has to do residence and complete more requirements in order to have his or her practice. In order to make the right decision for your surgery, it is crucial that you consult with a number of board certified plastic surgeons, get documentation about their work, ask for credentials and referrals, and decide on who you trust the most to carry out the surgery. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD FACS

Dear Skylard, 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