Selecting the Right Surgeon for Your Procedure

If you’re a first-timer for plastic surgery, you may be hesitant on taking that first step, or maybe you’ve had a prior experience that scared you away from further procedures. Before you decide to pass on that mommy makeover, breast enhancement, or wrinkle treatment; or before you simply pick the nearest, cheapest surgeon to you, you may want to learn more about the doctors and their qualifications.

Cosmetic Surgery vs. Plastic Surgery

Although many people may clump cosmetic and plastic surgery into the same category, they have differences. Cosmetic surgery focuses on enhancing the body and appearance, whereas plastic surgery focuses on repairing and reconstructing. Cosmetic surgery includes elective surgeries such as breast augmentation, a tummy tuck, liposuction, Botox, etc. Plastic surgery fixes and reconstructs defects such as burns, a cleft palate, scar revision, etc. Although plastic surgeon has the ability to reconstruct, they also have had additional training beyond basic enhancements. There is the American Board of Medical Specialties Board of Cosmetic Medicine. The doctors with the most extensive training to perform cosmetic surgery are those plastic surgeons who devote much of their practice to performing Cosmetic Surgery and are members of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Entry into this society assures Plastic Surgery Training and Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery as well as clinical practice experience in Cosmetic Surgery—-review of that individual’s surgical caseload reveals better than 80% of their surgical caseload are Cosmetic Surgical Procedures.

What is the difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon qualification?

When seeking your surgeon, you may have seen certifications from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons or the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. It is the difference between them that is important. A certification to become a cosmetic surgeon requires a mere one-year residency whereas a plastic surgeon requires at least six. An Internist, Neurologist, Anesthesiologist, and Gynecologist may all become members of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. The overall certifying Board of Medical Specialties is the American Board of Medical Specialties. They certify Orthopedic Surgeons, General Surgeons, Ophthalmologists, as well as Plastic Surgeons. The American Board of Medical Specialties does not recognize the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Its members do not undergo the same extensive training, with oral and written examinations.

It is important to ask or research your doctor’s credentials beforehand to understand their prior experience as opposed to listening to their sales pitch. Would you hire an employee without first seeing a resume? No – you always want to check their credentials first!

Dr. Berman is a double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon located in Boca Raton, Florida certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and American Board of Plastic Surgery, and has been performing plastic surgery procedures for over 30 years. Schedule your consultation today with Florida’s most trusted Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Berman.