Board certified vs Board eligible - what's the difference?

Hi & thanks for your question!
A board eligible surgeon has completed everything he/she needs to and is now eligible to take his boards. He/she has likely performed many surgeries leading up to this. Give your surgeons office a call and schedule another consult to discuss your concerns. Best wishes!

Board certification is recognition of one's competency in a chosen specialty by their peers. The process involves rigorous evaluation of the surgeon's work which may include various kinds of tests over a period of time. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Dear jasminemarline,
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

Board certified means that the physician has had all the required training and has passed the certifying exam that sets specific standards of excellence. Board eligible means that the surgeon has taken all the required training and now is eligible to sit for the exam. Not all surgeons pass this exam, which is both written and an oral questions, and involves, for plastic surgeons, review of surgical cases performed.

Very good question.
Board certified means that your surgeon complete an accredited Plastic Surgery residency/fellowship, passed both his written and oral board exams.
Board eligible is a surgeon who completed their approved residency and who has not yet passed both written and oral exams or has not accrued enough solo cases to be considered for their oral exams yet. Many surgeons take two or three years to complete enough cases to qualify for both exams. Some exams were delayed by Covid as well.
Best wishes.
Dr. Taranow