Board certified plastic surgeons

There is only one board that certifies Plastic Surgeons, the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Many plastic surgeons are also members of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons – ASAPS which indicates that the majority of their practice is oriented toward cosmetic surgery. (Beverly Friedlander, MD, Short Hills Plastic Surgeon)

There are only 24 boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only one which tests for competence in plastic surgery. Physicians certified by any of the other 23 boards can claim certification.

Others may claim board certification by groups which aren’t recognized by the AMBS (eg, American Board of Cosmetic Surgery). Members of ASPS and ASAPS must be certified by the AMer. Board of Plastic Surgery. (John Whitt, MD, Louisville Plastic Surgeon)

Board certified plastic surgeons photo

There’s only one board which certifies plastic surgeons: The American Board of Plastic Surgery. This board was established in 1937 and is overseen by The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). A competing board, The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery was established in the 1980’s by Julius Neumann an otolaryngologist. Anyone, who can hold a scalpel in their hands (no matter what surgical training or specialty), can apply for certification by this board and call themselves cosmetic surgeons.

The cosmetic surgery board is not recognized by ABMS. Buyer beware! The cosmetic surgery field is very competitive, it is fee for service and a lot of people try to “sell” themselves as qualified, to the populace who is mostly ignorant about these issues.

Board certified plastic surgeons image

You need to do your homework when choosing your surgeon. Remember, you have only one body. If you buy a car which turns out to be a lemon, you can exchange it. Same principle does not work for your body! (George Marosan, MD, Bellevue Plastic Surgeon)

Which “Board” for Plastic Surgery

There are many “Boards” out there now. To be “Board Certified” all you have to do is pay the person who paid $5 to the State’s Attorneys General to create the “Board” The only legitimate Board that oversees the training of surgeons and certifies that they are qualified to do a Tummy Tuck is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. It, in turn, is overseen by the American Board of Medical Specialties to assure that the surgeons it certifies meet the most stringent qualifications. (Robert T. Buchanan, MD, Highlands Plastic Surgeon)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

The Board certified plastic surgeons

When having body contouring surgery the surgeon should be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Credentials can be verified at the American Board of Plastic Surgery Web site. Additionally surgery should only be done at an accredited surgery center. (Jon M. Grazer, MD, MPH,FACS, Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon)

Clarifying Board Certification

Since people have been educated to look for “Board-Certified” physicians, many new “Boards” have appeared. There are 24 traditional “Boards” which are members of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The only one applicable for a physician performing tummy tucks is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. (Craig S. Rock, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Board Certification

Sometimes you will see that surgeons are certified by the “American Board of Cosmetic Surgery”. That certification is not very difficult to obtain and you do not have to have completed a plastic surgery residency to get that certification. You want a plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. (David S. Rosenberg, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

The only recognized board for Plastic surgeons is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Board certified plastic surgeons are qualified to perform tummy tucks, as well a wide variety of other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures (Nirav Savalia, MD, Orange County Plastic Surgeon)