I'm considering a FL and I was given a doctors name that has great reviews, but he's not Board Certified.
Answer: Board certification is very important! Dear Amy Williams 69, thank you for your question!
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Board certification is very important! Dear Amy Williams 69, thank you for your question!
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
March 9, 2024
Answer: Your plastic surgeon MUST be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery 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.
Helpful
March 9, 2024
Answer: Your plastic surgeon MUST be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery 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.
Helpful
January 29, 2024
Answer: Surgeon choice 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.
Helpful
January 29, 2024
Answer: Surgeon choice 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.
Helpful
November 4, 2023
Answer: Board certification is important. If a doctor has achieved board certification in plastic surgery, they have completed the required surgical training and passed both a written and rigorous oral examination proving their knowledge and command in plastic surgery. I believe this is extremely important in choosing your plastic surgeon. In addition, you should read reviews about the surgeon and if it all possible, speak to prior patients and ask to see the photo gallery. It is a big decision to have surgery and you should be sure that only the most qualified people are performing it. Best wishes.
Helpful
November 4, 2023
Answer: Board certification is important. If a doctor has achieved board certification in plastic surgery, they have completed the required surgical training and passed both a written and rigorous oral examination proving their knowledge and command in plastic surgery. I believe this is extremely important in choosing your plastic surgeon. In addition, you should read reviews about the surgeon and if it all possible, speak to prior patients and ask to see the photo gallery. It is a big decision to have surgery and you should be sure that only the most qualified people are performing it. Best wishes.
Helpful
November 1, 2023
Answer: Depends Hi Amy- this is a very nuanced question, so I'm glad you are being cautious. Plastic surgeons often need to have been in practice for a couple of years in order to earn their board certification, so if this person seems young, it is possible that is what is going on (you should be able to contact him or his office and they would be able to answer that for you, or that he is "board eligible"). If, however, that is NOT the case, then I would encourage you to exercise EXTREME CAUTION attempting to go to a non-board certified surgeon. Board certification exists for a reason- we have to prove that we have both the clinical knowledge and skillset in order to earn it, and if someone was not able to get that for some reason, it should be a big red flag to you. I most commonly see this when doctors are practicing outside of their scope, such as when you get OBGYNs doing botox of the face or dermatologists doing facial surgery (non-Mohs), etc. Even if someone is able to learn to do a procedure well, how do you know that that person also knows the proper workup and how to handle the complications?
Helpful
November 1, 2023
Answer: Depends Hi Amy- this is a very nuanced question, so I'm glad you are being cautious. Plastic surgeons often need to have been in practice for a couple of years in order to earn their board certification, so if this person seems young, it is possible that is what is going on (you should be able to contact him or his office and they would be able to answer that for you, or that he is "board eligible"). If, however, that is NOT the case, then I would encourage you to exercise EXTREME CAUTION attempting to go to a non-board certified surgeon. Board certification exists for a reason- we have to prove that we have both the clinical knowledge and skillset in order to earn it, and if someone was not able to get that for some reason, it should be a big red flag to you. I most commonly see this when doctors are practicing outside of their scope, such as when you get OBGYNs doing botox of the face or dermatologists doing facial surgery (non-Mohs), etc. Even if someone is able to learn to do a procedure well, how do you know that that person also knows the proper workup and how to handle the complications?
Helpful
