The government doesn't legally prevent anyone from calling themselves a cosmetic, cosmetic or plastic surgeon, or any medical professional. In fact, there are important distinctions between a cosmetic surgeon, a plastic surgeon, and a facial plastic surgeon.
Understanding these distinctions can make the difference between achieving optimal results and risking the possibility of revision surgery.
Those who call themselves cosmetic surgeons usually belong to another board and, in fact, may be specialists in any other medical area that is not certified or recognized to perform aesthetic procedures in accordance with these high standards. We've even seen worrisome examples of people without medical training calling themselves cosmetic surgeons specializing in Plastic Surgery in Pantego TX.Many doctors with surgical residencies also perform full-body aesthetic procedures learned through non-accredited training.The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) awards certifications to the United States. However, a cosmetic surgeon can call himself as such independently. of the board's certification. A dermatologist, a dentist, an oral surgeon, and any doctor can refer to themselves as cosmetic surgeons.
This confusing distinction is compounded by the marketing tactics used by some doctors and their offices. Cosmetic surgery is used to describe only those types of insurance that aren't usually covered by insurance, such as facelifts, breast augmentation, and tummy tuck.
Many surgeons who are not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery call themselves cosmetic surgeons.
If you search the Internet, you'll see that some of the surgeons are general surgeons, gynecologists, internal doctors, etc. Some of them also belong to a board called the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. This board is not part of the American Board of Medical Specialties.Only surgeons who have completed a full residency in plastic surgery have learned to perform the full range of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, such as rhinoplasties, facelifts, breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, tummy tuck and accidental reconstruction. During their training, a Plastic Surgery resident works full time and spends more than 3000 hours a year under the direct training and supervision of more experienced and fully qualified plastic surgeons to learn how to plan, perform and track procedures and to properly treat any complications that may occur. Weekend training courses or certification given by boards not recognized by the ABMS, such as “Aesthetic Surgery”, are not the same thing. Today, there are many practicing doctors who claim to be “plastic surgeons” and have never finished and will never finish a residency in plastic surgery.
ASPS member surgeons must not only be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, but they must also complete at least six years of surgical training after medical school, with a minimum of three years of residency in plastic surgery. Therefore, a hospital will only allow a plastic surgeon to perform breast implants, just as it would only allow a neurosurgeon to perform brain surgery. Of the 5,135 people surveyed, 87 percent felt that special credentials and additional training are required for a surgeon to refer to themselves as a cosmetic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon or plastic surgeon. Special emphasis is often placed on assuring prospective patients that these surgeons are “board-certified”.
For example, it can be easy for an uncertified surgeon to learn how to place a breast implant, but if things don't go as planned and a complication comes up, a surgeon who is skilled in breast reconstruction will be much more competent to treat any potential problems. The final stage consists of a very complex oral exam of 2 to 3 days in front of a group of board-certified senior plastic surgeons. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the most important certification and has evaluated surgeons with strict standards since 1933. The ABPS is an organization dependent on the American Board of Medical Specialties that also grants certified plastic surgeons membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In addition, becoming a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons requires even more extensive training.
Some may have finished their training but cannot pass their exams, or they may have other reasons for not completing the requirements to obtain Board certification in Plastic Surgery. Myers agrees, adding that board-certified plastic surgeons are appropriately designated by the American Board of Plastic Surgery through the logo of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Board certification in Plastic Surgery can only be granted by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. When a patient starts looking for a plastic surgeon, one of the most common things they don't know is that there is a difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon. The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
