This is one thing for sure that I, as a Plastic Surgeon could share to anybody very much interested in enhancing their physical appearance.

Today, that the public have an increased interest in cosmetic surgery or physical enhancement either medical or surgical and with the market population increasing day by day. A lot of physicians, even non plastic surgeons and worse of all non doctors would like to get involve in cosmetic business. They would introduce them self as a cosmetic consultant or cosmetic surgeon even without undergoing formal training in Plastic Surgery.

Therefore it would be best for any prospective clients to carefully scrutinize the credentials or qualification of the person you seek consult with, in order to be assured of the quality of your surgeon. However, there are others that would organize and form their own group of surgeons to form a cosmetic organization to boost their qualifications and credentials.

The sole society or organization in the Philippines that is recognized locally by the Philippine College of Surgeons and internationally by the American College of Surgeon, American Society of Plastic Surgeon and ASEAN Congress of Plastic Surgeon to monitor and regulate the practice of cosmetic surgery and training of future plastic surgeons is the Philippine Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons - PAPRAS. This prestigious assembly of Plastic Surgeons demand from its members certain qualifications and standards in term of academic and training, to assure the public of a safe and quality surgeons. So it is prudent if you would inquire from your surgeon, his affiliation to the society (PAPRAS). It goes with out saying that PAPRAS membership or affiliation would be the seal of excellence in the practice of cosmetic surgery in the Philippines.

To clarify things out and to make the public aware, Cosmetic Surgery should be performed by a Plastic surgeon with adequate and formal training in cosmetic/aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Plastic surgeons are both cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon, and Reconstructive surgery is a prerequisite for all plastic surgeon before they finish their training and be certified member of the society (PAPRAS). It would take 6 to 8 years of formal training and 2 qualifying national specialty exams (Given by the Philippine Boards of Plastic) after medical school before a doctor could claim himself a Plastic Surgeon. Training is very essential, because it is through these years of training that plastic surgeon is able to gain knowledge to do cosmetic procedure, differentiate high-quality result from dreadful outcome, and learn to identify, prevent and treat complications.

However there are alot of doctors and even non physician that don't want to take the longer road to be a plastic surgeon, since they think that they could deceive the unsuspecting client. Usually they call themselves cosmetic surgeon but such term does not exist, they usually undergo a 6 to12 months of observership locally or from other country without hands-on training, then afterwards they offer and perform cosmetic surgical procedures to any interested punter.

For the benefit of the majority, the public must be information that there are only few Certified Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon in the Philippines. There are only less than 300 certified member of the society (PAPRAS - Philippine Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery).

So, the only thing that we plastic surgeons could advice you and/or your friends when planning to have any cosmetic procedure please ask if the doctor is a Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon and not just a cosmetic surgeon and then ask the surgeon if he/she is a member of the Philippine Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons - PAPRAS for you to be sure of the qualification of your surgeons.

For more information on Philippine Cosmetic Plastic Surgery you may visit www.philippinecosmetic.com or email us at peregrinovii@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: "Webmasters are free to reprint this article provided that it is not edited, the author's information is included, and the links are included as live links."