Board-certification
There are two sides to this problem you face. One is you want a board-certified surgeon and so the question is if board-certification is a necessity for your surgery.
While there are great surgeons who are not board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and some not -so-good surgeons who are board-certified, and while ALL plastic surgeons at one time or another in there professional life were not board-certified (since it takes some experience in practice to be eligible to be baord-certified), without personal experience and knowledge about a surgeon, you are probably better off chancing things with board-certified surgeon than one who is not.
The other thing is not that he is or is not baord-certified, but that there might be a perception or reality of falsifying his credentials. This brings into question the trustworthiness of the surgoen regardless of whether he is or is not board-certified.
You should be able to get your money back I would think under these circumstances, not only from a good practice point-of-view, but he might be liable for some element of fraud and should see the $1000 refund as money well-spent to avoid that. (Robin T.W. Yuan, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
Board certification
The credential that matters is board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) Many surgeons are double board-certified, for example in general surgery and plastic surgery, or ENT and plastic surgery.
However, I personally think certification by the ABPS is the single most important credential to legitimize a plastic surgeon. I can not advise you about your $1000. I would start with direct discussion with the doctor’s office regarding your concerns. (Tim A. Sayed, MD, FACS, Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon)
Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is best
A tummy tuck should be performed by a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You should NOT have this procedure done by an eye doctor. If you can not recover your deposit, at least be happy that you will only lose some money; and hopefully nothing else. I’m sure there are several qualified plastic surgeons in your area. I would surggest meeting with at least two or three until you are comfortable. (William Bruno, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
How To Check Board Certification
You have encountered an all too frequent problem. Practioners are board-certified, but in areas other than plastic surgery. Some states are addressing this problem, but most have not. In order to check the board certification, you can log onto the Board’s website You should be able to get a refund on your deposit. If you have problem, contact your state board of medical licensure. (John Whitt, MD (retired), Louisville Plastic Surgeon)
Eye doctor trying to do a tummy tuck
Ophthalmologists have no formal training in any type of body procedures. I would strongly suggest you ask for your money back. Even if the doctor would not return your money, I would not proceed with surgery. Make sure your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Samer W. Cabbabe, M.D. Board – certified plastic surgeon St Louis Plastic Surgery Consutants (Samer W. Cabbabe, MD, FACS, Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon)
Just Found out my ”plastic Surgeon” is Not Board Certified
You should be thankful you discovered this before paying thousands of more $’s. Ask for a full refund based upon false information. Contact the medical board in AZ file a compliant as to false and deceptive advertising. Be happy it cost you ONLY a $1,000. (Darryl J. Blinski, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)