One of the biggest decisions that you will have to make when considering cosmetic surgery is who to choose as your surgeon. While many people know to look for board-certified surgeons, oftentimes they forget that there are actually two very different certifications in the United States.
COSMETIC SURGEONS CERTIFIED BY THE ABCS
The first kind of certified surgeons are cosmetic surgeons certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS). These surgeons receive their certification for specific areas of surgery one at a time. A cosmetic surgeon can receive individual certification for body and breast surgery, dermatologic cosmetic surgery, facial cosmetic surgery, and/or general cosmetic surgery.
In order for a doctor to receive this certification, the surgeon must fill out an application, prove valid hospital operating privileges, and submit four letters of recommendation.
PLASTIC SURGEONS CERTIFIED BY THE ABPS
The preferred surgeons are those that are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). In order to receive this ABPS certification, a surgeon must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete a five-year residency program of additional training. They must then pass both written and oral exams in order to receive the final certification.
So when you are searching around for your surgeon, you can’t go wrong with an ABPS certified plastic surgeon. Each one receives specific training in each of the different kinds of surgeries, from reconstructive surgery to cosmetic procedures like breast augmentation and tummy tucks.
