CONTACT US TODAY!
There was a problem with your submission. Please review the fields below.

Why you Should Always Work with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

If you are looking to get any plastic surgery done, it is imperative you choose one certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Professionals who possess certification have passed all the necessary requirements, which are quite extensive. Requirements to become certified through the ABPS include, but are not necessarily limited to:

  • General school training in basic health, surgery, and surgical procedures
  • A minimum of five years’ residency training, with at least two years specifically in plastic surgery
  • Pass both written and oral aptitude tests to prove their knowledge on plastic surgery procedures, precautions, and general knowledge

Why is it so important to ensure your plastic surgeon is board certified? How can you tell if your chosen surgeon is ABPS certified? Check out the useful information below to answer these two imperative questions.

Safety

Plastic surgery is still surgery. As such, your safety should be the number one concern for everyone involved. A surgeon who is board certified has proved they know how to perform their varying operations in the safest way possible. This also means they know the best techniques to keep their patients safe in those rare events where something does go wrong.

Ethics

Good ethics go further than bedside manners, although these, of course, are incredibly important. Ethics include good business practices, appropriate surgical procedures, only doing what is agreed with the patient, and many other things. These are incredibly important to your health, safety, and comfort throughout your relationship with your plastic surgeon.

Competency

Competency means your plastic surgeon knows what they are doing. It includes hands-on practice, book learning, and watching others perform procedures. A surgeon who is board certified has proven the highest levels of competency through all three learning paths. If a plastic surgeon is not board certified, you can’t be sure what their true level of competency is. Therefore, you cannot be certain you are in the best hands.

How to Tell Your Plastic Surgeon Is Board Certified

There are two ways to verify if your chosen practitioner is certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

First, you can check online. Plastic surgeons, like most doctors, are listed on several health sites. These listings should include their years of experience, certification, where they currently practice, where they have previously practiced, and if there have ever been any malpractice suits filed against them.

The second way is to simply ask. Usually, your surgeon will have their certification and other degrees hung up in their office. If you are unsure, ask to see proof of certification during your initial consultation. A good plastic surgeon will not mind you asked, and should be quite pleased you have done your research in what to expect. More knowledgeable patients tend to be happier patients.