HOW TO CHOOSE A PLASTIC SURGEON

Did you know that in the State of Florida, any licensed physician is legally allowed to advertise as a "plastic" or "cosmetic" surgeon, even if he or she has no formal surgical training? The state requires a minimum of one year of general training after graduation from medical school (commonly called an internship or PGY 1) to obtain a state medical license, but nothing further.

In our community, many physicians have jumped on the bandwagon of plastic or cosmetic surgery. Ophthalmologists, ear, nose and throat doctors, dermatologists and even obstetricians and gynecologists are performing “cosmetic” surgery in their offices. While other physicians may indeed be “board certified” by a reputable certifying agency, do they truly have the extensive training in Plastic Surgery that is required to be a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

Ask the surgeon where the procedure will be performed, and does the surgeon have privileges to do the exact same procedure at an accredited acute care hospital in your community, such as Sarasota Memorial Hospital or Doctors Hospital. Hospitals generally have rigorous criteria for screening doctors. If your surgeon is not approved to perform the same surgery at the hospital, it may be time to look for a new doctor.

You may look for a board certified plastic surgeon in the telephone directories, but, as you will see, deceptive advertising tactics pervade cosmetic surgery. And the problem only starts there. In the most recent edition of the Sarasota telephone directory Yellow Pages, of the ads listed under Physicians & Surgeons – Plastic and Reconstructive, 17 were from non-American Board of Plastic Surgery physicians. Some of the ads are from dermatologists, some from ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors, ophthalmologists, and some are obstetricians and gynecologists! The company that publishes the phone directories makes no distinction as to skill and level of training; they are simply happy to sell the advertising space.

The educated public thinks that it is shrewd to look for the phrase “board certified” as an assurance that their physician is capable and credible. But, the term “board certified” means little unless the board itself is named, and is one recognized by the ABMS abms.org. If a cosmetic surgeon states that he or she is board certified, you might assume that it is by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Yet it could be from any board, some legitimate and some not. Look for physicians who state the exact nature of their certification, and choose your surgeon accordingly.

Selecting a surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons www.plasticsurgery.org is your best assurance of quality training and credentials. Only Plastic Surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery may join this society and display this symbol. Look for the symbol to determine if your surgeon is qualified.