Plastic Surgery Articles

By: Steven Vath, MD and Andrew Wolfe, MD

When selecting a plastic surgeon, board-certification can be a determining factor, but not all board-certifications are the same. It is important that patients understand that there are different boards, each with different requirements for certification. Steven Vath, MD, and Andrew Wolfe, MD, plastic surgeons in Denver, explain why the American Board of Plastic Surgery is the preeminent board for certification of plastic surgeons.

More and more plastic and cosmetic surgeons are using the Internet as a marketing tool, and patients researching surgeons on the Web will no doubt see a lot of the term “board certified.” However, without indicating the source of the board certification, this term has little meaning. Part of a patient’s research into a doctor’s qualifications should include finding out the name of the certifying board or boards. Subsequently, it is important to understand the certification standards required by these boards, as some require more rigorous training and demonstration of skill than others.

Patients who seek a plastic surgeon with the highest degree of qualifications should choose one who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The ABPS is the only board that is approved to certify doctors in plastic surgery by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to setting high standards for physicians nationwide.

What Makes the ABPS Different?

The ABMS certifies medical boards in a broad range of specialties, and currently oversees 24 such boards. Each board must demonstrate to the ABMS that it meets the highest standards of training, education and quality of care. The ABPS is the only plastic surgery board certified by the ABMS.

The ABPS is esteemed in the medical community for its stringent requirements both to achieve and maintain certification. An ABPS-certified plastic surgeon is one who is expected to uphold the standards of that board, and maintain the primary objective of providing outstanding patient care. In fact, in most cases, hospitals require ABPS certification for a physician to be allowed to perform plastic surgery at their facility.

ABPS Criteria

Toward the goal of cultivating a community of highly qualified plastic surgeons, the ABPS has established a list of rigorous requirements that surgeons must meet in order to become board certified. These include:

• Completion of 4 years of undergraduate schooling
• Completion of 4 years at an accredited medical school
• Completion of a minimum 3 year general surgery residency at an accredited program
• Completion of 2 years in an accredited plastic surgery residency program
• Demonstration of knowledge by passing challenging oral and written exams

Upon completion of these requirements, ABPS-certified surgeons have demonstrated a strong foundation of education, skill and knowledge in plastic surgery. It may be surprising to note that any licensed physician can perform cosmetic procedures despite a lack of specialized plastic surgery training. When a patient chooses an ABPS certified surgeon, they can be assured that specialized training and competence have been verified.

Other Certifying Boards

There are other cosmetic and plastic surgery organizations that may provide “board certification,” but they do not have the same rigorous standards as the ABPS. If a surgeon is certified by one of these other boards, it is important for the patient to look into the requirements of that board. Internet research can be helpful in learning about a board and its requirements for education, training, and demonstrated qualifications. Another way for a patient to learn more about a surgeon’s board certification is to ask the surgeon during the consultation.

Patients are well advised to do background research before selecting a plastic surgeon. This includes not only the surgeon’s background and qualifications, but also the requirements of his or her certifying boards. Narrowing the field by selecting from only ABPS certified surgeons goes a long way towards assuring a higher level of care and an overall improved experience.

Contact Denver plastic surgeons Steven Vath, MD and Andrew Wolfe, MD today.

Written by: Drs. Vath and Wolfe