Mommy Makeover from surgeon in their fellowship - best route?

Question

I am in between two surgeons for my mommy makeover. One is a double Board certified plastic surgeon (American Board of Plastic Surgery) and the other one is their fellowship but is Board Certified in OBGYN (her mentor is the #1 plastic surgeon in the city). I have good-vibes and better connection to the fellowship doctor. I Believe in their mission at the Surgery Center (they have exparel and hyper treatments to prep the body) but this is all new to me so determining what is the best routes.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

For your information, MMO is very complex surgery which involves breast and abdominal surgery (liposuction, TT), sometimes more than these two. Significant experience and extensive training is needed to achieve good result. While board certified plastic surgeon has all necessary training and experience to do such a surgery, surgeon with other type of surgical training and "cosmetic fellowship" do not. There is no board certification in cosmetic surgery in USA, and so called cosmetic surgeons have usually a year of training with some other cosmetic surgeon, without appropriate training and without certification by American Board of Plastic Surgery. Liking someone is not a guaranty of good and predictable result. Keep looking and do not let cost of surgery determine your selection. Good luck.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether to undergo your tummy tuck with a board-certified plastic surgeon or a board-certified OBGYN in their "fellowship". In my opinion, if you are seeking a procedure, you should seek a procedure in somebody who is specialized in that area. The American Board of Specialities created specialties in medicine to guide the public and ensure proper training. In my opinion, if you are considering having a baby, you should go to an OBGYN. If you are considering plastic surgery, you should seek a plastic surgeon. Therefore, I would strongly suggest you have your procedure with a board-certified plastic surgeon. In addition, I'm confused about your term "fellowship". Does that mean they are undergoing their plastic surgery fellowship? Or just an added degree? Either way, if someone is in fellowship, that means they have not completed their training. Therefore, again my vote would be to go with the board-certified plastic surgeon who is not only credentialed and certified but has experience in the field.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS · Answer

Hi MommyMakeoverJourney12,
I think that it is important to consider someone's background and training, especially as Mommy Makeover over generally involves both breast and abdominal surgery. Plastic surgeons have extensive training, operating head to toe, and generally complete at least 6 years of training specifically in surgery. The requirements for certification by the American Board of plastic surgery include completion of an accredited residency training program, followed by a 1 year collection of your own cases, in addition to passing both a written and comprehensive oral examination based on your own cases.
Trainees in plastic surgery spent multiple years developing an eye for aesthetics of the breast and abdomen, and are well used to performing operations on both the breast and abdomen.
Separate, experience matters. As such, you should ask your surgeon how many of these procedures they have performed independently, and whether the procedures there suggesting are procedures that they perform on a regular basis.
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MD MSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

I would recommend the person who is most fully trained and certified in the surgery you are wishing to undergo. A board certified plastic surgeon has at least 6 years of training in all things plastic surgery whereas the other one has had less than one year.

Christine Rodgers, MD · Answer

HI Mommy Makeover,

Of course , I am prejudiced but if, it were me, I would definitely choose the plastic surgeon.
Mommy Makeover's are complicated surgeries and you should have a surgeon who has experience perform this surgery for you.  The training is quite different for plastic surgeons and OB-Gyn's.  Plastic surgeons typically have a lot more surgical experience in the OR and this is important for any patient
who has this type of surgery.
If you have doubts  about the plastic surgeon and /or do not have a good rapport with him /her, visit another plastic surgeon in your area.

Best Wishes and Good Luck,

Dr. Christine Rodgers

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

To be honest, I cannot believe you even feel the need to ask this question. You are considering having a significantly plastic surgery procedure and you are not sure if you need to choose a surgeon who is board certified by the only plastic surgery board in the US or someone who trained in OB/GYN?!?! The ABPS verifies appropriate training, education, safety, and ensures the best for members and their patients. There is no “plastics board” for OBGYN and whatever “mentor” this person has is also probably not a board certified plastic surgeon. 
In the end, you know the answer. If you cannot find a board certified plastic surgeon you connect with, keep looking.
Best of luck….

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear MommyMakeoverJourney12,
finding the right Dr. is extremely challenging especially with the number of online platforms and resources available. There a lot of great Dr's available. Make sure he/she is a board-certified plastic surgeon. Definitely check to make sure your choice specializes in the procedure you want and spend the time to read through patient testimonials. There is a number of different sites where you can check for reviews (Realself, yelp, google, etc.).You can always pick up the phone and call around also, find an office you feel comfortable with and set up a few consultations. 
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Richard Montilla, MD · Answer

If you are having mommy makeover surgery and knowing that you will have permanent scars, it would be best to have a double-board certified, plastic surgeon who is properly trained. The likelihood of complications occurring will be less with an experienced plastic surgeon versus an OBGYN still in training to do cosmetic surgery.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Selecting your surgeon is pivotal step influencing your safety, results, and recovery during surgery.  A board certified plastic surgeon is a highly trained physician that has received focused education in her/his specialty.  There is no question that the double board certified plastic surgeon would be considered the best choice for a Mommy Makeover over an OB/Gyn.  If you are unsure about the plastic surgeon I encourage you to visit another in your area.  The ASPS website can help you locate board certified plastic surgeons in your area.

Joshua T. Tieman, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

I would always recommend a board-certified or board-eligible plastic surgeon - not a "cosmetic" surgeon.

Mommy Makeover from surgeon in their fellowship - best route?

Answers (11)

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