Any doctor will do, right? Why board certification matters for plastic surgery

Do you want your mechanic to make you a pizza? What about a lawyer flying a plane? Can a mechanic make one heck of a pizza? Sure, why not? But did they go to culinary school or study the art of pizza making in Italy? Can a lawyer learn how to fly a plane? Of course. Do they have the training and experience to fly commercial jets from here to Paris?

There is a reason you trust professionals to get the job done and get it done right. These people have the education, experience and specialty training to excel in a specific field or area of study. A podiatrist may have extensive knowledge of the anatomy of the foot, but do you want them to give you a facelift? A dentist can manage your oral health, but should you also allow them to put in breast implants or perform a mommy makeover?

Any doctor who has an MD can perform any procedure. Many physicians offer cosmetic procedures outside the scope of their education and training. Yet, seeing them for a specific aesthetic concern may not be the best idea. This can lead to complications and, sadly, in some cases, patient deaths. It can also lead to poor quality results that may require costly and time-consuming revision surgery to obtain the original aesthetic outcome you desire.

The number one reason that board certification matters for plastic surgery is patient safety. There is a lot of confusion and, yes, even misinformation surrounding terms like "cosmetic" or "aesthetic" surgery versus "plastic surgery." Those terms come with many official sounding boards and certifications, but those qualifications can vastly vary. What exactly does board certification mean? Ensuring your health, safety and aesthetic results are in qualified hands means researching and understanding what various credentials really signify.

What is board certification for plastic surgery?

When a doctor is "board certified," the physician has met a specific set of rigorous standards outlined by their particular medical specialty. The American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) is an overarching board that represents 24 unique certifying medical boards, including the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). From anesthesiology to radiology, each of the 24 medical specialty boards works to protect public health by assessing and certifying physicians who meet strict educational, professional and training requirements.

Plastic surgery is a specialty that requires extensive training, experience and expertise to perform safely and effectively. A doctor who is a board-certified plastic surgeon has met specific criteria to obtain board certification and must maintain exceptional standards in education and patient care.

"It is a very rigorous process, a very long and arduous process to become a board-certified plastic surgeon," said Kristy Hamilton, MD. "You must have completed a residency and or a fellowship in plastic surgery. Number one, then, you must have successfully sat for a written board examination and passed that. Only at that point are you able to then apply and sit for your oral boards. Before they even accept your application, you must have done enough cases and enough depth and breadth of cases that the examiners believe that they can appropriately assess your level of skill. At that point, you can submit your body of work, and you will then be rigorously examined by other board-certified plastic surgeons."

She said that the physicians assessing a doctor seeking board certification are men and women who are pillars in their field. The goal of board certification is patient safety and allowing patients to feel confident that they are in safe and competent hands.

Additionally, valid board certification means physicians must continue to demonstrate a commitment to safety and continuing education, which Dr. Hamilton is passionate about, considering the fast evolution of plastic surgery devices and surgical techniques.

"You never stop as a plastic surgeon," said Dr. Hamilton. "You should not pop out of residency, get board certified and then think you've got nothing more to learn. We're always changing and evolving."

Why does board certification for plastic surgery matter?

The most apparent reason board certification matters for plastic surgery is patient safety. A plastic surgeon must pass meticulous and uncompromising educational, training and safety standards to achieve board certification from ABPS.

In fact, the mission of ABPS is "to promote safe, ethical, efficacious plastic surgery to the public by maintaining high standards for the education, examination, certification and continuous certification of plastic surgeons as specialists and subspecialists."

All that is to say that a board-certified plastic surgeon has demonstrated the skills and knowledge to ensure optimal patient outcomes and can manage the challenges or complications that may arise during surgery.

"In terms of choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the importance has to do with training and the ability to appropriately manage any potential complications," said Anureet Bajaj, MD.

No one wants to think about the worst-case scenario while pursuing their best self. Yet, cosmetic surgery is real surgery with real risks. Many plastic surgery procedures are considered major surgery, which is invasive. The risk of complications from any surgery is never zero, but patients can significantly reduce their risks by choosing a qualified plastic surgeon for their aesthetic procedures. A board-certified physician has the experience and skills to manage complications and care for a patient's health and safety before, during and after surgery.

"A great way to also find out if you're not sure if your surgeon is board certified, ask them do they have privileges at local hospitals where they can perform plastic surgery," said Dr. Hamilton. "Hospitals are very, very particular about who they are going to allow to operate in their facility because they're taking on some of that liability."

Speaking of liability, if some sort of complication does arise from your procedure, it's important to have someone who knows how to address those issues.

"We don't want complications to occur, but if they do, it is important to have a surgeon trained to manage them appropriately," said Dr. Bajaj. "Also, by being a board-certified plastic surgeon, you know that the surgeon has maintained the required continuing education requirements, has hospital privileges to perform the same procedures they may perform in their office and follows the ethical standards set by ABPS."

Misconceptions about board certification

The best way to ensure you work with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon is to research their board certification status. However, you need to know what you are looking for. Unfortunately, many people on social media and some publications use the terms "plastic," "aesthetic" and "cosmetic" surgery interchangeably. They are not the same.

A doctor certified by ABPS has met stringent educational, training and proficiency standards in the extensive field of plastic surgery. A weekend course or other non-accredited training does not qualify a physician to call themselves a plastic surgeon – especially if the course instructors are not certified by ABPS.

Not only does board certification matter, but which board certification may matter even more. A physician can call themselves board certified or even triple board certified, but in what disciplines? A doctor can be board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, but does that make them specifically qualified to perform a tummy tuck? That is a valid medical board certification, but that doesn't necessarily mean doctors certified by those boards have the knowledge base or aesthetic skills to perform a mommy makeover.

Some boards, not recognized by the ABMS, use the term "cosmetic." These cosmetic board certifications require that an individual have a medical degree in obstetrics, urology or orthopedic surgery to apply. These are all vital medical professionals, but you need to take the time to ask yourself if you want a facelift performed by someone trained as a urologist.

Confusing and misleading certification terms can make patients believe they are in good hands. Yet, they may not get what they expect regarding skill, training and expertise. Social media, official websites and effective marketing strategies can make it challenging for patients to understand what they are getting, especially since not all "board certification" programs are created equal.

How do I find out if a plastic surgeon is board certified?

Both surgeons recommend taking some extra time to do some basic research before choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon. The organization's online search tool can help you determine whether a surgeon is certified by the ABPS.

ASPS also offers its Find a Surgeon tool, which allows you to search for plastic surgeons worldwide. Click on a surgeon's picture, and the page will bring up a box that gives you information about the surgeon, including their board certification status. This gives you a well-rounded picture of the medical provider you are researching.

ASPS requires that, at the time of application, the physician be certified by ABPS or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, among other qualifications. All ASPS Member Surgeons must also meet strict standards, which include:

• Graduating from an accredited medical school
• The completion of six years of surgical training after medical school and a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training
• ABPS certification
• Passing comprehensive oral and written examinations
• Completion of continuing medical education and patient safety every year
• Performing surgery in an accredited, state-licensed or Medicare-certified surgical facility

"Within our own practices, we need to be assessing where we can continue to improve our results and outcomes for patients and always be learning," said Dr. Hamilton. "Certification also demonstrates a commitment to that."

Valid board certification is a commitment. It is a commitment a doctor makes to ensure the continuation of exceptional medical standards, education and the safe and ethical treatment of you, the patient. Working with a board-certified plastic surgeon is about finding a practitioner passionate about their field and dedicated to safely helping you achieve a gorgeous aesthetic result.

Empower yourself to find the care you deserve. Look for board-certified plastic surgeons and those with a membership in the ASPS.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by ABPS, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.