subject: The Importance of Choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon [print this page] The Importance of Choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
When considering a cosmetic procedure and choosing between plastic surgeons in Las Vegas, it is important to consider a surgeon's skill and experience. Whether a plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a strong indicator of experience and technical abilities. Choosing someone who is board-certified can help ensure that your surgeon has extensive training in plastic surgery and possesses the knowledge necessary to deliver exceptional results.
What is board certification?
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is one of 24 medical specialty boards that make up the American Board of Medical Specialties. These medical boards were founded to help maintain the highest standards of excellence for the training, education, and professional behavior of doctors in a range of specialties. The only boards out of the 24 specialty boards that verify physicians' training and perform testing for fields related to cosmetic medicine are the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Board of Dermatology.
Of these 3 specialties, plastic surgeons are trained to perform reconstructive and cosmetic surgery on all areas of the body. Otolaryngologists (commonly called ENTs as an abbreviation for ear, nose and throat) have focused their training on the face and neck, and dermatologists primarily are focused on improving the health and appearance of the skin, without addressing underlying tissue and muscle layers.
Why does it matter?
Very simply, not all doctors performing plastic surgery in Las Vegas are created equal. Becoming board-certified is a rigorous process that requires extensive training and the completion of written and oral examinations. Specifically, to become a board-certified plastic surgeon, the physician must receive an undergraduate degree and successfully graduate from medical school as an MD or DO. The doctor must then complete at least 5 years of postgraduate surgical training, spending the last 2 to 3 of those years in a plastic surgery residency program.
To begin the board certification process, the doctor must take a written exam to demonstrate his or her plastic surgery knowledge. After an additional year, and after passing the written exam, the doctor is allowed to sit for the oral board examination in plastic surgery. At that exam, a panel of board-certified plastic surgeons questions the doctor to ensure that he or she possesses the necessary knowledge, judgment, skills, and decision-making abilities. Surgeons who meet these requirements and are granted board certification are considered diplomates of The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc.
Although being board-certified in plastic surgery does not promise perfect results, it does ensure that your doctor has been extensively tested and evaluated by surgeon peers. In addition, the American Board of Plastic Surgery requires that plastic surgeons become recertified every 10 years to ensure that they continue to refine and update their skills while providing safe and excellent care.
How to find out if your surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon
There are many ways to find out if a surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The easiest way is to check the doctor's website or ask the office when calling for a consultation. A trustworthy surgeon should be willing to answer any questions you may have or show you their qualifications, such as diplomas and certificates received.
Once you have found a board-certified plastic surgeon, there are many other criteria to consider when deciding whether that surgeon is the person you want to perform your procedure. For instance, pay attention to bedside manner, years of experience, quality and cleanliness of the office facility, and other factors that could play a role in your results.
