Why Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?
When you’re considering plastic surgery, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting the right surgeon. With so many options available, it can feel overwhelming to determine who truly has the expertise and qualifications to deliver the results you desire while keeping your safety as the top priority. If you’re searching for a plastic surgeon understanding the significance of board certification can help guide you toward making the best choice for your aesthetic journey.
Board certification represents far more than just another credential. It’s your assurance that your surgeon has undergone rigorous training, demonstrated exceptional competence, and committed to maintaining the highest standards of patient care throughout their career.
What Does Board Certification Actually Mean?
Board-certification from an accredited board is important because it means your surgeon has specialized training and experience specifically in plastic surgery. Therefore, your surgeon is more qualified in plastic surgery than surgeons who are not board-certified in plastic surgery. This distinction becomes crucial when you consider that any medical professional advertising themselves as a cosmetic surgeon, for example, is not required to complete formal plastic surgery training.
In the US, the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify surgeons in the specialty of plastic surgery. By choosing a plastic surgeon certified by the ABPS, you can be assured that the surgeon has completed the appropriate training and passed comprehensive written and oral examinations covering all plastic surgery procedures.
The board certification process validates that your surgeon has met stringent educational, training, and ethical requirements. Patients can expect that the board certification process has validated the plastic surgeon’s qualifications and experience needed to make sound judgments that ensure patient safety.
The Extensive Training Behind Board Certification
The path to becoming a board-certified plastic surgeon is both demanding and comprehensive. Board-certified plastic surgeons must accomplish the following: Once they’ve earned their doctor of medicine degree, board-certified plastic surgeons must undergo at least six years of surgical training through an accredited plastic surgery training program in the U.S. or Canada.
ASPS Member Surgeons not only have to have a board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or in Canada by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, but they also have to complete at least six years of surgical training following medical school with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training. They must pass oral and written exams, graduate from an accredited medical school and complete continuing education annually.
This extensive training ensures that when you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon, you’re selecting someone who has dedicated years to mastering both the art and science of plastic surgery. To become a board-certified plastic surgeon, you have to get seven to nine years of training in your surgical specialty, which equips you to promote patient wellbeing at all times.
The Critical Difference Between Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons and Other Providers
Understanding the distinction between different types of surgeons can help you make a more informed decision. There’s another important distinction that patients should be aware of as they seek a surgeon to help with their aesthetic procedure: the distinction between board-certified plastic surgeons, and cosmetic surgeons. Sometimes these terms seem like they are used interchangeably, but in reality, they denote very different things.
The reason for this is that cosmetic surgery actually isn’t a recognized medical specialty; there is really no medical organization to whom a cosmetic surgeon might be held accountable. This lack of oversight means that there’s no way to verify that a self-described cosmetic surgeon has had any particular level of training or maintains any special level of skill or clinical ability.
Thanks to the growing popularity of plastic surgery, more and more physicians who don’t have the proper training are offering cosmetic surgery procedures to patients. In fact, many doctors performing cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States are not actually cosmetic surgeons. These physicians include dermatologists, family practitioners, gynecologists, dentists, and radiologists.
When you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon, you’re ensuring that your provider has the specific training and expertise needed to perform your procedure safely and effectively.
Hospital Privileges: An Additional Layer of Safety
Beyond board certification, another important factor to consider is whether your surgeon has hospital privileges. Make sure your surgeon has surgical privileges at a local hospital. Even if your plastic surgeon uses a surgical center or in-office surgical suite, the ABPS requires that board-certified plastic surgeons have privileges with at least one hospital in case of emergency.
Obtaining hospital privileges typically requires a thorough review of the surgeon’s education, training, experience, and professional qualifications, ensuring they meet strict standards for quality and safety. In order to obtain privileges at a hospital, a surgeon’s credentials must be reviewed by a special hospital committee that will evaluate their training, board certification, malpractice history, and review their state medical license for any restrictions. A criminal background check will also be performed.
Hospital privileges also provide crucial safety benefits. In the rare event that a complication arises during or after a plastic surgery procedure, having hospital privileges allows the surgeon to admit the patient to the hospital quickly and efficiently. This ensures that the patient receives prompt and appropriate care in a well-equipped facility, minimizing potential risks and improving patient outcomes.
The Importance of Accredited Surgical Facilities
The safety of your procedure depends not only on your surgeon’s qualifications but also on where your surgery takes place. An accredited facility is one that must meet strict national standards for equipment, operating room safety, personnel and surgeon credentials.
Accreditation is a voluntary process that hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and other healthcare facilities go through to prove they meet certain standards for cleanliness, safety, equipment, and personnel. For a facility to receive accreditation, it must adhere to strict standards for staff, sanitation, equipment, and patient care set forth by an official accrediting body. A surgeon and his staff must submit to regular inspections and provide thorough records of their policies and procedures to retain accreditation.
ASPS Member Surgeons can only perform surgery in an accredited state-licensed or Medicare-certified surgical facility. This requirement ensures that your procedure takes place in an environment that prioritizes your safety and maintains the highest standards of care.
Ongoing Education and Maintenance of Standards
Board certification represents an ongoing commitment to excellence, not just a one-time achievement. Plastic surgeons maintain board certification through a Continuous Certification Program. They also have to complete a certain number of continuing medical education (CME) credits each year to maintain their medical license.
This commitment to lifelong learning ensures that your board-certified plastic surgeon stays current with the latest techniques, technologies, and safety protocols in the field. Hospital privileges require a plastic surgeon to participate in regular peer reviews and quality assessments. This helps maintain the surgeon’s professional development, adherence to best practices, and commitment to continuous improvement in patient care.
How Board Certification Protects You
When you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon, you’re not just selecting someone with impressive credentials. You’re choosing a provider who has demonstrated their commitment to your safety and optimal outcomes. Choosing a board-certified provider instills confidence in patients regarding their safety and the quality of the results. It is a crucial step in achieving the best results without sacrificing safety.
No matter what type of plastic surgery you seek, the most important thing you can do is find a truly qualified surgeon to perform the procedure. Research, ask questions, and understand that the most reputable plastic surgeons not only offer gorgeous results but also do so with your safety in mind.
Verifying Your Surgeon’s Credentials
Before moving forward with any procedure, it’s essential to verify your surgeon’s board certification. Researching a doctor’s credentials is simple. People can contact their state medical board to verify that the doctor they are investigating is properly licensed and to learn more about his or her education and board certification, as well as the details of any disciplinary action.
Contacting the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is the best place to ensure a doctor’s certification and learn more about a doctor’s board certification in any specialty; for plastic surgeons, prospective patients can also reach out to the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the ABMS’ member board for plastic surgery, for confirmation of a doctor’s credentials.
Making Your Decision
Choosing the right plastic surgeon is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your aesthetic journey. When you have made the decision to undergo plastic surgery, one of the most important decisions you can make is choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon. Choosing a board-certified provider instills confidence in patients regarding their safety and the quality of the results. It is a crucial step in achieving the best results without sacrificing safety.
Your safety and satisfaction depend on selecting a surgeon who has the proper training, credentials, and commitment to excellence. Board certification provides you with the assurance that your surgeon has met the highest standards in the field and continues to maintain those standards throughout their career.
When you’re ready to take the next step in your aesthetic journey, choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who will prioritize your safety while helping you achieve your goals. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how board certification makes a difference in your plastic surgery experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a board-certified plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon?
The reason for this is that cosmetic surgery actually isn’t a recognized medical specialty; there is really no medical organization to whom a cosmetic surgeon might be held accountable. But again, there is no way to become board certified in cosmetic surgery, because it’s not a recognized medical discipline and there isn’t a certifying board. Because of this, there’s no way to verify that a self-described cosmetic surgeon has had any particular level of training or maintains any special level of skill or clinical ability. Board-certified plastic surgeons, on the other hand, must complete extensive training and pass rigorous examinations to earn and maintain their certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
How can I verify that my surgeon is board-certified?
You can verify your surgeon’s board certification by contacting the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Board of Plastic Surgery directly. You can also check with your state medical board to confirm licensing and learn about any disciplinary actions. Most reputable surgeons will proudly display their board certification credentials on their website and in their office, making verification straightforward.
Why do hospital privileges matter if my surgery is at an outpatient facility?
Even if your plastic surgeon uses a surgical center or in-office surgical suite, the ABPS requires that board-certified plastic surgeons have privileges with at least one hospital in case of emergency. Hospital privileges demonstrate that your surgeon has been thoroughly vetted by hospital credentialing committees and can provide continuity of care if complications arise. If a patient experiences a medical emergency during a procedure or while recovering from surgery, having hospital privileges enables the plastic surgeon to seamlessly coordinate with hospital staff, ensuring timely and appropriate emergency care.
Is facility accreditation really necessary for my safety?
Yes, facility accreditation is crucial for your safety. By choosing an accredited surgical facility, you can help ensure the following for your procedure: For a facility to receive accreditation, it must adhere to strict standards for staff, sanitation, equipment, and patient care set forth by an official accrediting body. Accredited facilities must have proper emergency protocols, qualified staff, and appropriate equipment to handle any complications that may arise during your procedure.
How often do board-certified plastic surgeons need to renew their certification?
Board-certified plastic surgeons must maintain their certification through ongoing education and periodic examinations. Plastic surgeons maintain board certification through a Continuous Certification Program. They also have to complete a certain number of continuing medical education (CME) credits each year to maintain their medical license. This ensures they stay current with the latest techniques and safety protocols in plastic surgery, providing you with the most up-to-date care possible.