Is it important to have a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Question

I'm considering a FL and I was given a doctors name that has great reviews, but he's not Board Certified.

Jose Telich, MD · Answer

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.

James M. Economides, MD, FACS · Answer

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.

Giray Genc, MD · Answer

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.

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

As a board certified plastic surgeon, I would most definitley recommend you see one for your facelift. These individuals are the most qualified and will give you the best results. Go to the person who has at least 15 years of experience and your most comfortable with.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

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.

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

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?

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

I believe it is important for the surgeon to be at least seeking board certification. Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery ensures that the surgeon has been vetted for safety, knowledge, skill, and proper training in actual plastic surgery. Many people will state that they are a plastic surgeon including "cosmetic surgeons", "facial plastic surgeons", "oral maxillofacial surgeons", and so on. In reality, only people that have trained in accredited plastic surgery residency or plastic surgery fellowship with prior surgical training. Best of luck!

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello!
This is a great question!
What does being board certified entail? From the American Board of Plastic Surgery - a comprehensive written exam, an oral exam, every year continuous education and every 5 years a practice assessment. This is to assure the best possible patient care.
There are lots of boards, some authentic, some not so much - like the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is not a board under the American Board of Medical Specialties.
All surgeons on the ASPS website: plasticsurgery.org are Board Certified. Great place to start. Be sure you see a surgeon who has to adhere to the highest patient quality care standard.

Samuel Lin, MD, FACS · Answer

Agree. There are only approximately 20 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Plastic Surgery is one of those member boards and indicates a standard period of training, examinations, and continued certification process....

Jonathan Heistein, MD · Answer

YES!  You should only go to a surgeon that is board certified in plastic surgery.  Only board certified plastic surgeons have the necessary training and expertise to do this surgery.

Is it important to have a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

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