Follow-up: Website says he's a Triple Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon, but I can't find him on any of the Board Certified Sites

Thank you for the important questions.  Unfortunately, differentiating the credentials of the variety of physicians who wish to provide "cosmetic surgery" services, can be very confusing to patients. Also unfortunately, there is no strict regulation set up to protect the consumer by state or national medical regulatory organizations. Therefore, patients must take the responsibility to ask the question: what are you board-certified in? ***The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only board recognized by the American Board of medical specialties (when it comes to the plastic surgery specialty). Confirming that your surgeon is certified by the American Board of plastic surgery is very important; this will assure you that your surgeon's undergone rigorous training, testing, and continued medical education necessary to become and remain board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Plastic surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery are then potential candidates to join the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery. These societies will have lists of their plastic surgeon members; these lists may be helpful when patients are seeking a board-certified plastic surgeon. in the process of selecting a plastic surgery I also encourage patients to 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. Be very careful with your decision-making. Again, I cannot overemphasize the importance of careful selection of plastic surgeon when it comes to concerns such as safety, achievement of the desired outcome, and ability to manage complications that may arise (even in the best of hands). Keep in mind that revisionary surgery may be more costly in many ways. I hope this, and the attached link, helps. Best wishes.

Hello and thank you for your question. It is very important that you thoroughly research your surgeon before committing to surgery. It is a good idea to research your surgeon's educational background, online reviews, before & after pictures, and speak with anyone who you may know who has had surgery with that surgeon.If your surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, his/her name will be listed there.  If they are not there, I would be cautious about having breast surgery with that surgeon.Best wishes and good luck.Richard G. Reish, M.D.Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

There are many Boards that offer certification, so your surgeon may be triple board certified, but if he or she isn't listed on the ABPS website, they are not a board certified Plastic Surgeon. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is a completely different board made up of Ob-Gyn's, ophthmologists (Eye doctors), ENT surgeons, general surgeons, and oral surgeons.