Is it important to have a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Dear Amy Williams 69, thank you for your question!

Yes, choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is very important for both safety and quality. Board certification by reputable bodies, such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), ensures that the surgeon has completed rigorous training, passed extensive exams, and adheres to high standards of patient care and safety. While good reviews are valuable, a board-certified surgeon has formal recognition of their qualifications, which can provide added reassurance in complex procedures like a facelift. This credential helps minimize risks and maximize the likelihood of achieving safe, satisfying results.

YES YES YES. I cannot emphasize this enough. Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the ONLY way to ensure your surgeon 1) has had the requisite training specific to plastic surgery, 2) maintains certification through regular recertifications and maintenance, 3) adheres to ethical and safe practice guidelines, and 4) operates in an accredited facility. The American Board of Plastic Surgery exists solely to keep the public and patients safe no matter how many reviews someone has online. Do not be fooled by other medical "boards" such as the "board" of cosmetic surgery which is not a recognized "board' by the American Board of Medical Specialties or by a doctor who advertises that they are "board certified" without specifying the American Board of Plastic Surgery. They may be board certified in a field unrelated to the surgery in which you are interested.

Hello. Of course, the doctor you choose may not have a board certificate. However, just having good reviews is not enough for selection. His communication with you, his explanation of the procedures he will perform for you, photos of his previous patients, reviews, certificates, experience, etc. It would be more logical to choose a doctor by evaluating all of these at once.