I am considering BA, what is the difference between Board Certified in Plastic Surgery and Board Certified in Cosmetic Surgery?

Question

I have normal breasts and just looking for Augmentation. Several Doctors in my area are not Board Certified in Plastic Surgery but they do hundreds/thousands of these surgeries.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Below i am attaching a link that should serve as a useful reference guide to board certification and the importance of finding a surgeon that is ASPS board certified.

Rocco C. Piazza, MD · Answer

Your question is excellent, and it
is an important one for individuals considering elective surgery to ask if they
aren't sure. Only surgeons certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery
(ABPS) meet the rigorous standards established by that board. A board-certified
plastic surgeon — certified by the ABPS — must graduate from an accredited
medical school and complete 5 years of additional training as a resident
surgeon in an accredited program, including 3 years devoted entirely to plastic
surgery. The ABPS is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical
Specialties (ABMS). Any doctors licensed to practice medicine can call
themselves cosmetic surgeons, but only ABPS-certified physicians can call
themselves board-certified plastic surgeons. I encourage all patients to
research the qualifications for themselves.

Joshua A. Halpern, MD, PA · Answer

Thank you for your question. There is a huge difference between the two. A plastic surgeon completes a residency, typically 6 years, that is the certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and recognized by the American Board of Medical Sub Specialties (AKA ABMS). There is no board, that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Sub Specialties for Cosmetic Surgery. This is extremely important. Only one group of surgeons goes through an extensive training program over many years which is approved by the ABMS that is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. In addition completion of the training program doesn't guarantee a Board Certification. A plastic surgeon who, completes their training successfully, must take and pass a written and oral board examination. These exams are also certified by the ABMS. This training, examination, and certifications only applies to plastic surgeons.  Only plastic surgeons under go such extensive training. I hope you find this information useful.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The degree of training and knowledge to address complications if they occur are some differences.   The board certified plastic surgeon has gone through extensive training as well as written and oral testing to ensure safety and results for the patient.I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to SEE lots of examples of their work AND preferably speak/see patients who have had similar procedures done.
Be very careful with your decision-making. You will find, while doing your due diligence, that there are many different “specialties” who will offer their services to you; again, I strongly recommend you concentrate on surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I hope this, and the attached link, helps. Best wishes.

Pedro M. Soler, Jr., MD · Answer

Board certification typically means that one goes through a rigorous program followed by testing based on clinical knowledge, such as in plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery however, is not a recognized board specialty and therefore you need no formal training to call yourself a board certified cosmetic surgeon. In other words, a family practician, pediatrician or any other specialty whos' training does not include cosmetic surgery, can claim to be a board certified cosmetic surgeon. I hope this helps. Best wishes.

Todd C. Case, MD · Answer

The American Board of Plastic Surgery, is the only recognized "plastic surgery" board by the American Board of Medical Specialties that recognizes the twenty something medical specialty areas (like OB/GYN, internal medicine, cardiology, neurosurgery, etc).  The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is not a recognized board.  In many states, you can be board certified in something and do plastic/cosmetic surgery and call yourself a board certified plastic/cosmetic surgeon.  OR you can be trained in plastic surgery, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery AND BE a BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON.  If your surgeon can not show the board certificate from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, then they are not a BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON, but are some other specialty doing plastic/cosmetic surgery.  They did not go through a 2-3 year residency training program in plastic surgery.

Douglas Leppink, MD · Answer

The process of attaining Board-Certification in Plastic Surgery is rigorous and necessary. Having a group of Plastic Surgeons recognized by their peers (The Board) who certify that a new Plastic Surgeon is good enough to be part of the specialty should assure prospective patients that they are receiving the best possible care. Not only does the prospective Plastic Surgeon have to survive a long and difficult residency (at least 6 years) with yearly testing exams, but upon finishing there is another very hard test (failure rate of 15-20% on average) and then another oral exam that includes a review of the candidates own cases randomly selected from their first year in practice. Even after the certification is achieved the board requires yearly education hours and case review in Plastic Surgery, culminating in a re-certification test every 10 years. The board also requires that all Board-certified Plastic Surgeons operate in an accredited surgical facility, to assure the safety of their patients.By contrast, the Board of Cosmetic Surgery does not require a Plastic Surgery Residency.Please look for the Board-certified Plastic Surgeon in your area for your care (and the Maintenance of Certification emblem) to be sure that you are receiving the best possible care!

Joseph Franklin, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.   The American Board of Medical Specialties does not recognize "Board Certified in Cosmetic Surgery."   A link to their website is included below.   For those of us who are Board Certified in Plastic Surgery, years of surgical training were followed by written and oral examinations to ensure that we were well versed in the specialty and that we were safe surgeons.  Make certain to find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Neil T. Chen, MD · Answer

Dear Amy- there is no such board as cosmetic surgery board in American Boards of Medical Specialties (ABMS)..Insist on the highest standard. Accept no substitutes.

Robert S. Houser, DO · Answer

For those of us who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, we had to complete a strenuous training program that encompasses all aspects of plastic surgery.  A part of that is cosmetic surgery.  Many "board certified cosmetic surgeons" are merely emergency room doctors or GYN's who got burned out in their specialty and decided to do something that pays cash.  It's not illegal, but I think it's unethical.  Going to a Plastic Surgeon insures that you are in the best trained hands and can handle any potential complications.  Many of our procedures are done in office suites or surgery centers, but you want to make sure that your surgeon can care for you if you needed to be admitted to a hospital.  No hospital is going to give an ER doc privileges to admit or operate on patients.  It's a matter or patient safety and better outcomes -- go to a Plastic Surgeon.  Good luck!

I am considering BA, what is the difference between Board Certified in Plastic Surgery and Board Certified in Cosmetic Surgery?

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