What Exactly is the ABFPRS?

Contrary to the needlessly inflammatory and incorrect remark made by Dr. Kasden, the ABFPRS is a well recognized board that certifies Facial Plastic Surgeons.  Its reasons for not being included in the ABMS are politically related, not quality related.  For an overview of a history of "turf battles", I would recommend you visit the ABFPRS website (In my experience, Surgeons are generally more interested in turf battles than patients). 

Because of the high quality of training and the rigorous nature of the certification process,   the ABFPRS is considered ABMS-equivalent in each of the 50 states.  In other words, every state Medical board recognizes the ABFPRS.  ABFPRS certification requires residency training in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery or Plastic Surgery, a written and oral examination, and at least 2 years in practice with a supportive case log to obtain certification.  The reason for the success of the preponderance of ABFPRS diplomates  is that they specialize only in Facial Plastic Surgery and they do great work.  You can generally rely on certification by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery or American Board of Plastic Surgery as a good start when considering Facial Plastic Surgery. 

The fact is that the ABFPRS has long been given equivalency to the ABPS by all 50 states.  There is a USA  TODAY article that I posted its link below for you.  You can read it.  

The rest is politics and you don't need to worry about politics.  For example Spine Surgeons can come from an Orthopedic surgery back ground or Neurosurgery back ground.  But for some reason the orthopedic spine surgeons dont try to put down the neurosurgeon spine surgeons the way a few general plastic surgeons continue to show they nastiness and ignorance by their remarks about our specialty of FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY.  

Just remember one thing: The esteemed plastic surgeon who destroyed Michael Jackson's nose and face was a BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON just like Dr. Rand and Kasden!  He was even "better" than them because he was the president of the Greater Los Angeles PLASTIC SURGERY society! He was not a Facial Plastic Surgeon! Facial Plastic Surgeons who are certified by the ABFPRS understand the face.  They have no business doing anything on the body (unfortunately a few bad apples do body work) but the vast majority stick to their expertise which is face plastic surgery.  

At the end of the day you have to ask yourself "Do I want a jack of all trades and a master of none? or do I want a specialist!?" 

with that said I will go back and say that within each specialty there are amazing surgeons and very lousy surgeons.  Do not get bogged down by brands.  Do your research and choose the best surgeon, be it facial plastics or plastics.  I have plenty of great colleagues in each specialty that I refer patients to and I have ones in both specialties whose work I have to constantly revise and correct.

Be smart! 

The AAFPRS stands for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. It is an organization that most facial plastic surgeons in the United States belong to. The board certification for facial plastic surgeons is administered by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. It is a very difficult examination. To become eligible to become board certified in facial plastic surgery, the surgeon must be board-certified in ear, nose, and throat surgery or in general plastic surgery. The website for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery is www.AAFPRS.org for more information.