There are numerous practitioners of cosmetic surgery. However, only a select few are board certified by their national board of plastic surgery. According to the ABPS, "the American Board of Plastic Surgery aims to produce safe, ethical plastic surgeons with an extensive knowledge of the entire spectrum of plastic surgery, who are able to represent our specialty in the highest standards. All patients seeking plastic surgery procedures should do their homework before choosing their surgeon. Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a qualification not easily obtained, which demonstrates a high level of training and education, necessary for optimal results and patient satisfaction." More specifically...board certification ensures completion of a rigorous training program of at least 6 years (with at least 3 years of dedicated plastic surgery training. Board certified surgeons have also completed written and oral examinations to determine competency and participate in a continuing medical education programs as a prerequisite of maintaining certification. With regards to your specific question, MD vs. DO refers to the 2 tracks followed in the journey to a doctoral degree. MD is a medical doctorate. DO is doctorate of ostepathy (another school of medical thought based on treating the body as a whole). There are qualified board certified practitioners of both types. FACS is an additional certification open to all practitioners of surgery (not just plastic surgeons) and refers to the Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons. Ultimately, certification ensures a measure of certainty when comparing surgeons. You can be assured that your board certified plastic surgeon has seen and treated it all before and is uniquely qualified to manage you pre-operatively, intra-operatively, and most importantly post-operatively. I would recommend consulting with the Australian Plastic Surgery Society.