American Board of Plastic Surgery vs American board of Cosmetic surgery?

Question

Hi! So I have a BA with scheduled for October! But I just realized the surgeon is certified through the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, not the board of plastic surgery. Is that good enough for a surgeon? He has excellent reviews, been practicing for 20 years, photos of his work/revisions are phenomenal. I’m just concerned cause I read you should go with a surgeon who’s certified through the American board of plastic surgery, not cosmetic. Help!

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Without commenting on the skills of your cosmetic surgeon, I will just offer a clarification on board certification: The original standards were created by The American Board of Medical Specialties, which sets requirements for all of the specialty boards. These include accreditation of the training program, rigorous tests, and continuing education. Cosmetic surgery expertise is a core element of certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. However there are no laws preventing the establishment of non-recognized boards, and the "American Board of Cosmetic Surgery" is in that category.

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties which is the gold standard for training certification in the United States.

Leopoldo Baccaro, MD · Answer

In order to be Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, there is a long and rigorous process. A minimum of 3 years of dedicated plastic and reconstructive surgery training, 80 hours a week, with many academic and technical milestones to be met. Once graduated from training, candidates go through a 2 year process of treating patients. During that time you must pass a very difficult written exam, and after about 2 years you sit for a 2-day oral examination where you can be asked about anything pertaining to plastic and reconstructive surgery. Plastic surgeons then have to maintain their certification on an yearly basis. It is one of the most difficult and prestigious boards in medicine and fully recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons is not recognized by the ABMS. It is a “Board” made up to try to give legitimacy to physicians who are NOT plastic surgeons, but practice “cosmetic” procedures.
You may wonder how these physicians can even have a cosmetic surgery practice. Well, unfortunately there is no regulation as to what cosmetic procedures you perform in your own surgical center. So we commonly see physicians of other specialties market themselves as “cosmetic surgeons” in order to perform these cash-pay procedures.
I cannot speak to the quality of anyone’s work, their ethics, or their care. However, I would be wary of “Cosmetic surgeons” who are certified by the “American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons”. They simply do not have the extensive training that a true plastic surgeon has.
I’d always recommend seeing a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
I hope this helps.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) sound nearly the same, but there are vast differences. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is a real nationally recognized board, while the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is a self proclaimed group of individuals who wanted to try to legitimize their entry into the field of cosmetic surgery without the required legitimate credentials (actual completion of formal supervised plastic surgery training and board certification).

Donald R. Revis Jr, MD · Answer

Good afternoon!

Only real trained plastic surgeons can hope to achieve certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery through thorough, extensive education, training, and examination- all the other wannabes can send in 5 box tops and a coupon and become certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

American Board of Plastic Surgery vs American board of Cosmetic surgery?

Answers (10)

Answer: American Board of Plastic Surgery vs American board of Cosmetic surgery?

Answer: American Board of Plastic Surgery vs American board of Cosmetic surgery?

Answer: ABPS

Answer: ABPS

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American Board of Plastic Surgery vs American board of Cosmetic surgery?

Answers (10)

Answer: American Board of Plastic Surgery vs American board of Cosmetic surgery?

Answer: American Board of Plastic Surgery vs American board of Cosmetic surgery?

Answer: ABPS

Answer: ABPS

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.