Useful Tips When Seeking A Certified Plastic Surgeon
Many elements play into choosing a good plastic surgeon, and for many prospective patients, this means finding a qualified physician who is board certified. Why would you want a board certified plastic surgeon? Plastic surgery is a serious and irreversible surgical enhancement, so it is only logical to seek out a highly trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon. Just knowing your physician is board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) can help calm your nerves and give you the confidence and reassurance you need.
In order to become a board certified plastic surgeon through the ASPS, a physician must meet stringent requirements. Graduation from an accredited medical school and completion of at least five years of additional residency are the baseline educational requirements. During the five years of residency, he or she must have a minimum of three years of general surgery in an accredited program and two years of plastic surgery in a residency program. In addition, he or she should be actively practicing cosmetic surgery for two years, as well as successfully completing comprehensive oral and written examinations.
The ASPS is the only board dedicated to overseeing regulations in the field and so doctors who hold this certification are the only ones allowed to perform any type of plastic surgery procedure or treatment. The ASPS is a helpful tool for those seeking cosmetic plastic surgery because they can rest assured that the doctor they have chosen underwent extensive residency, training and work experience. Make sure you choose a doctor that is board certified in the area that you want improved. For instance, you would want to get liposuction from a doctor who is board certified in plastic surgery instead of a facial plastic surgeon since that surgeon doesn’t specialize in the procedure you want.
To find out if your physician is board certified, a patient can visit the ASPS Web site at www.plasticsurgery.org to verify a specific medical specialty. This gives you the chance to learn if a certain doctor you are interested in has completed the required training and is working toward certification.
Choosing a board certified plastic surgeon may be the most important factor in your decision to have cosmetic surgery. Do take into consideration personal qualities like the surgeon’s sincerity, patience and communication skills since these should also have great influence on your decision. Remember that just because a doctor has acquired board certification does not automatically mean that he or she is compatible with your needs. At least by doing a background check, you can feel more secure in your decision.
