Patients are advised to find a doctor who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify a surgeon in plastic surgery of the face and of the entire body. Certification by the ABPS is one of the highest accomplishments for a plastic surgeon because it means that the surgeon has formal training in an accredited plastic surgery residency program and is required to maintain their certification through an extensive on-going training and certification.
About American Board of Plastic Surgery:
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) qualifies a surgeon to perform both body and facial procedures. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) which is expressly designed to provide public protection through quality control in medical education states the "ABPS is the only one of the 24 ABMS member boards providing certification in the entire field of plastic and reconstructive surgery from head to toe."
If your surgeon is ABPS-certified, they will have:
*BACHELOR'S DEGREE- Usually Pre-Med or Biology, but not required to be.
*MCAT- A 6 hour exam to get into Medical School.
*MEDICAL DEGREE-"MD"-4 years of med-school and passing the Boards (a 2 day/12 hour exam) Part I and Part II (another 2 day/12 hour exam).
*Upon graduating medical school, one is considered an "MD," but can only practice in a residency program until they become a licensed physician.
*RESIDENCY- "On the job training" of at least three years.
*Five to seven years are required for American Board of Plastic Surgery certified plastic surgeons.
*LICENSED PHYSICIAN -After completing 1 year of residency and passing Boards Part III, then they are considered a General Practitioner or "GP". A GP has not had any training in surgery, no less plastic surgery.
*CANDIDATE MEMBER (a.k.a. BOARD ELIGIBLE)- One has completed the required training in plastic surgery residency and has been in [private] practice for at least two years.*
*APPROVED SURGICAL TRAINING- in plastic surgery and the surgeon has successfully completed extensive written and oral examination testing in the entire field of plastic and reconstructive surgery of the entire body.
*BOARD CERTIFICATION-Passing certification is not required for any doctor to practice medicine, but is important when finding a good physician and determining if one is trained to be a specialist, such as a plastic surgeon.
To verify a surgeon's certification status, contact either of these organizations: The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The American Board of Medical Specialties. Verifying the status of your cosmetic surgeon is one of the fist steps you should take when doing your cosmetic surgery research.
