Considering plastic surgery?
Plastic Surgeon or Cosmetic Surgeon, There is a difference
Public Education
View television commercialsChoosing a Plastic Surgeon
Choosing to have plastic surgery is a very important and highly personal decision. Patients always should conduct a thorough background check on their physicians. Qualifications should be checked, and these criteria may be helpful to you in your search:
- Check the physician's credentials.
For example, is the physician board certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)?
ABPS certification assures that the physician has graduated from an accredited medical school, has completed at least five years of additional training, has practiced plastic surgery for two years and passed comprehensive written and oral exams. The ABPS is a recognized board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). To check your physician's board certification by an ABMS board, visit the ABMS website at www.certifieddoctor.org and use the Verification Service
- Verify the physician's medical license
status by visiting the
Florida Department of Health website
. The Florida Department of Health is the licensing
board for all Florida physicians regardless of
specialty.
- After reviewing the physician's background,
a potential patient should have a personal consultation
with the plastic surgeon(s) being considered. Find a
plastic surgeon you feel comfortable talking to, and
fully discuss your questions, expectations and concerns.
Your plastic surgeon can help you learn about the risks
as well as the benefits of plastic surgery and can help
you develop realistic expectations and results.
During your consultation, you may want to ask the following questions:
-
How much experience do you have in this field?
-
How many times have you performed the
procedure and how recently?
-
How long will my recovery be?
- Where will you perform my surgery?
If the procedure is going to be performed in an out-patient surgical facility, ask if is it an accredited facility? Even if the surgery is performed in the plastic surgeon's own surgical facility, the physician should be peer reviewed and have privileges to perform the procedure in an accredited hospital in the local community.