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[B766]Board Of Plastic Surgery

by Foreignhaus, For

"Board Certified" simply means a physician has been given a Board Certification by an organization called a "Board". This includes formally recognized entities such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery but may include unrecognized or other entities calling themselves "Boards". This can create significant confusion with the terms.

"Board Certified" in this demanding field means that a surgeon has been awarded Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Board Certification in this field is awarded only after finishing a formal residency in this practice and also passing a rigorous written examination (usually taken 6 or 18 months after completion of all training) and a difficult oral examination which includes cases from a surgeon's own practice (usually taken at least 18 months following completion of all training).

To be allowed to sit for these exams for the Board, a surgeon must have completed:

1. College (usually 4 years)
2. Medical School (usually 4 years)
3. Internship in General Surgery (1 year)
4. Residency in either General Surgery, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Urology or Neurosurgery (usually 4 to 7 more years)*
5. Additional residency in Plastic Surgery (2 to 3 more years)*
6. Additional fellowships (specializations) may be performed in addition to the above training

*a combined residency of 3 or more years of general surgery plus 3 years of plastic surgery now is also accepted

Board Certification can only be awarded by the The American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Board Certification can not be awarded by any other organization, including the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (approved training in this field in the area of the head and neck only, formal training encouraged but not required), the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (not a recognized Board by the ABMS, no formal plastic surgery fellowship required), or the State Medical Board (grants medical licenses, not board certifications). These organizations do not require formal residency training in this field.

Derived from the Greek word "plasticos" meaning to mold or give form, the specialty of plastic surgery encompasses two general categories: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve your appearance and self-esteem. Reconstructive is performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance.

To reverse the aging process while helping people feeling rejuvenated is the overall goal of modern medicine. New research has led to incredibly exciting results in the field of anti-aging.

Plastic surgery is a life-changing process and one of the most important steps to a successful procedure is choosing the right surgeon. Before committing to a particular professional and a particular procedure, you will have a consultation with the plastic surgeon in order to see if you are a good fit for the procedure you're interested in and to see if you are comfortable with the physician. During these consultations, you have a great opportunity to ask all sorts of questions, both about the procedure and the doctor.

What to Ask About Your Plastic Surgeon?

When trying to select a plastic surgeon there are several key pieces of information you need to learn about each one. First, you should ask if your professional is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Although there are other boards, the ABPS is the only one that is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Being board certified means that the surgeon has had specific training and practice hours in the plastic surgery specialty. You may also want to find out if the doctor is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. This is a sure sign that the surgeon is Board Certified by the ABPS and also that the doctor is keeping current in her field with continuing education courses.

Another important question is whether the surgeon has hospital privileges even if they mainly operate in an outpatient facility or personal office. Hospital privileges mean that the doctor competency has been reviewed and accepted by an accredited hospital in the area. If your doctor has received specific training, conducted research or has publications in the area you are interested in, it indicates that he is an expert in that particular procedure and will be a good choice for you.

What to Ask About the Surgery Procedure?

After you grill the doctor about her qualifications, you should take plenty of time to have all your questions answered. You might start by asking the doctor to describe the procedure in detail if he has not already done so.

You should also find out how long you will have to stay in the clinic or hospital, what kind of anesthesia will be used, if you will need a friend to take you home, and how long the recovery period will be and what it will be like. You will certainly need to know if you will need to take more than a few days off from work.

Your plastic surgeon should also tell you about the possible risks associated with your desired procedure. Sometimes your personal characteristics may put you at higher risk of certain complications, so be sure to explain any medical conditions to the doctor during your consultation. While plastic surgery is a safe field in general, there is always the possibility of something going wrong and you need to be aware of what might happen.

Cost is definitely you should discuss at your consultation. The physician or her assistants will be able to help you determine if your plastic surgery will be covered by your insurance. This is often the case with things like rhinoplasty and corrective procedures.

If your surgery is not covered, you will need to find out the total price tag of anesthesia, doctor and facility fees. Your surgeon may be able to help you find ways to get financing and make your surgery more affordable.

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Both Foreignhaus & Abigail Aaronson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Foreignhaus has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cosmetic Surgery, Weight Loss Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery. Dave Stringham is the President of LookingYourBest.com an online resource for Learn more about breast augmentation and. Foreignhaus's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

Abigail Aaronson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Breast Enlargements, Tummy Tucks Before and After and Rhinoplasty. . Abigail Aaronson's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.