There are a number of plastic surgeons who describe themselves as being board certified, but there are a number of people who don’t have any idea what a board certified plastic surgeon means. Since cosmetic surgery is elective, it is, therefore, crucial for a cosmetic surgeon to be board certified. It is worth mentioning that not all physicians are board certified, and that is why they need to get one.
When we compare it to other specialists like ENTs or cardiologists, it may not be that necessary. But when it comes to plastic surgeons, it is a necessity in many states to get certified if they want to be known as plastic surgeons. However, there are some states that allow any licensed physician to be called a plastic surgeon.
Why do People Prefer Board Certified Plastic Surgeons?
It is never a legal requirement to become a board-certified plastic surgeon because cosmetic surgery is not a part of the traditional medical system. Also, neither is it a medical necessity or is it covered by insurance. This is the reason why it is essential for anyone to do proper research and look for a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Board certification is a sign that the surgeon has taken additional steps to perform the cosmetic surgery in a safe and ethical manner. The additional residency complete, and therefore, the surgeon commits to uphold all the safety standards when performing plastic surgery.
How Does a Plastic Surgeon Get Board Certified?
In order to become board certified, it is mandatory for any cosmetic surgeon to go through extensive post-secondary education.
- This includes a Doctor of Medicine Degree or MD
- A Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Biology.
- A surgical residency training of three years.
- A cosmetic surgery residency of three years.
- The surgeon also has to perform around 300 individual cosmetic surgery procedures. This includes the body, face, and breast.
- It is also vital for the surgeon to receive in-depth training in different non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Laser resurfacing, Botox and fillers, as well as skin care, are all part of it. One needs to know that, at present, there are no training needs for plastic surgery residencies for such treatments.
- The surgeon also has to pass a written and oral exam that covers all cosmetic surgery aspects.
The key to getting a board certification is to get a three-year cosmetic surgery residency. It is essential to understand that a surgeon can become a cosmetic surgeon and start practicing, but they cannot become board certified. It is the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) that awards board certification to plastic surgeons. In order to get it, a surgeon has to complete cosmetic surgery residency.
The certification board has an aim of producing plastic surgeons who are ethical, safe, and come with a piece of good knowledge. No other organization authorize to award the board certification. So, as a patient, if you are having difficulty in finding the best plastic surgeon, you need to see whether the individual is board certified or not. You can visit the ABPS website and look there if you don’t have any surgeon in mind.
Final Words
There are many other certifications, but for a patient. It is crucial to make sure that the plastic surgeon is expert by the ABPS. This is also helpful in finding the best plastic surgeon because they will know the level of training and evaluation that this particular surgeon has undergone. One can also contact ABPS regarding any queries about the board certified plastic surgeon.