Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

What is a Plastic Surgeon?
Silly as it sounds, it is a surgeon who does Plastic Surgery. Plastic Surgery is the molding of tissues to achieve a desirable appearance or function. There is no single qualification for the specialty of Plastic Surgery, and physicians of vastly different qualifications can call themselves plastic surgeons.

What is board certification?
The most widely recognized certifying body is the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). They protect the public by inspecting and reviewing residency-training programs for quality and to designate the 23 ABMS-approved specialty boards. The AMBS recognizes the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

What are the requirements of the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
The minimum requirements are 3 years of general surgery and two years of approved Plastic Surgery training. The candidate must also complete two years of practice and two separate and extensive examinations, one written and another oral, with a review of actual cases performed.

Upon completion of training, a physician can call himself "board-eligible." After two years with satisfactory completion of the exams, he/she can use the term "board-certified."

How do I find a Plastic Surgeon?
Ask friends, hospitals or review directories of specialties. You can also call the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), all of whose members are board certified. (1-800-635-0635).

How do I check a Plastic Surgeon?

1. Training - Where did they train?
2. Are they "board-certified" by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? Or are they "board-eligible?" CAUTION - some physicians will call themselves "board-certified," but it is not in Plastic Surgery.
3. Hospital privileges - You can call the hospital and ask if the surgeon has privileges to do the proposed procedure, even if you plan on doing this in the office. CAUTION - some procedures are done in the office because the doctor's training is insufficient to qualify for privileges at the hospital.
4. Experience - It is reasonable to ask about the number of cases performed and the number of years in practice before making your decision.
5. Professional Societies - This is usually not helpful. CAUTION - some societies require years of data, and multiple references (FACS), while others, which sound prestigious, require little more than an application and a fee.

What do I look for in a consultation?
Communication, Communication, Communication - Your surgeon must listen to you and talk with you. A good Plastic Surgeon will listen to your goals and reasons for wanting them and make suggestions with alternatives. Be extremely Cautious if he/she tells you what you need without asking what you want. Also be careful if you feel that you are being pressured into something you do not want or that is unrelated to your concerns.

• He/she should welcome questions about qualifications, experience, etc.
• He/she should not be offended by the request for a second opinion.
• He/she should explain the risks and variations of outcomes, including the demonstration by computer imaging (when available) and photographs.

What else do I look for?
Listen to your instincts. By that I mean, look at the office, the person, the way you are treated and the level of comfort you have with the surgeon. If there is something that doesn't "feel" right, consider a second consultation or a second opinion. Finding another Plastic Surgeon to repair unsatisfactory results is expensive and difficult. Better to spend a few dollars on a second consultation.