Plastic Surgery: Find A Properly Accredited Surgeon

As the availability, affordability, and acceptance of the procedure increases

, it is quickly becoming one of the most popular elective surgeries. However, not all surgeons are created equal. It is important to do your research and find a properly accredited surgeon to trust your new face, nose, hips, or tummy with. What does it mean to be "board certified"? Should your doctor be a member of a professional society? Why do hospital affiliations matter? Where can you check to see if your office-based surgeon is accredited?

What does it really mean to be "board certified"? Once a doctor passes his state and specialty training exams, he is considered "board certified." However, there are a number of medical and certification boards created by and for a surgeon. All of them are not equal. State medical licensure does not limit a physician to only practicing the specialty they were trained in. Research your physician and ensure he is board certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery. That means he or she has passed the highest competency exams in the area of reconstructive procedure.

What does the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) actually mean? It is board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) for certification of the plastic surgeons.

Should your doctor be a member of a professional society? There are a number of professional societies created by and for surgeons. Again, not all of them are created equal. Two highly respected professional societies are the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. These societies promote continuing medical education and only doctors that are certified by them are eligible to join.

Why do hospital affiliations matter? A hospital will grant privileges to a physician based on his or her capabilities, performance, experience, and accreditation. Hospitals do not grant privileges to doctors outside of their specialty training. As such, it is often easy to check with his affiliated hospital to ensure they have privileges to perform the type of procedure you are interested in.

Where can you check to see if your office-based surgeon is accredited? Since office-based surgeons do not require hospital affiliations, it is especially important to do your homework. Check with the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) to ensure your surgeon's private facility is qualified.

by: Abigail Aaronson

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