Undergoing cosmetic surgery is an important and often life changing experience, thus the matter should not be taken lightly. Patients should consider a few things prior to the procedure, one of which is the experience and skills of the surgeon, whether it’s for a simple BOTOX injection or a massive operation like body contouring. Board certified plastic surgeons are usually the specialists with the most training and experience.
What is Board Certified?
Board certified most commonly refers to physicians who have passed a variety of exams, or boards, in their field of expertise. Often, all doctors need to pass the boards before obtaining their license to practice medicine and health care. This is to assure the public that the medical expert has successfully completed an approved educational program and evaluation requisite to performing quality patient care.
Issues with Board Certification
In recent years, certification has become an issue because there have been some doctors who have yet to complete additional hours of study and practice, and are performing procedures that might be better left to specialists who are board certified. Plastic surgeons are the most glaring examples of this medical concern. With more clients requesting Botox injections and other non-surgical treatments, some physicians who are not board certified have found a way to achieve an easy profit.
In cases like these, patients seeking services from uncertified doctors often end up with less than ideal results. Incorrectly injected collagen could result to lips that are too large for the patient’s face, and faulty Botox injections could cause near paralysis of the face. Other botched up cosmetic procedures have resulted to deformities or ongoing pain.
What it takes to be Board Certified
There are many certifying bodies in the field of cosmetic surgery, and one of the most prominent is the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. ABPS makes sure board certified plastic surgeons have met the following requirements:
- Graduation from an accredited medical teaching institution
- Completion of at least three years of general surgery residency training or a complete residency in a neurological surgery, otolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery, or urology
- Completion of at least two years of plastic surgery residency
- Passing comprehensive written and oral exams
As advancements in the field of surgery continue to be developed, ABPS also requires surgeons to renew their certification every ten years.
Choosing a Certified Surgeon
In plastic surgery, where procedures are mostly performed inside the surgeon’s office, doctors can easily give the impression of being board certified. Plastic surgeons, for example, may be certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, but not by the ABPS. While the rules for disclosing specific credentials in advertisements differ from state to state, surgeons may not reveal which board granted their certification, or if they’re certified at all.
While doctors who lack the appropriate certification can practice plastic surgery, patients may want to make sure that their life and health are in the safe hands of a qualified doctor. Thus, it’s important for patients to consider doing research regarding their surgeon’s education, training, certification, and experience to make the best decisions.