Why Use a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?

If you have ever considered having a cosmetic procedure then you probably have done some homework on your own. You have probably spent a lot of your time looking up the procedure that you’re interested in having. You want to know the ins and outs before you make your first appointment and that is one of the best things that you could do to prepare yourself for what is to come. But how much time do you spend looking into your prospective physician. If you are looking at a plastic surgeon that isn’t board certified yet then you could be running some major risks.

What makes a board certified plastic surgeon so much better than any other type of physician? One word: experience. There is no law that requires a doctor to have the appropriate training in order to call himself a cosmetic physician. To be board certified, however, you have to pass written and oral exams in order to be certified. These exams are rigorous and are designed to challenge the physician in order to ensure that only the most knowledgeable become certified. This is something that should be considered very important during your search for the right doctor.

The doctor must also have years of experience to even be considered for certification. Training starts after graduation from medical school. To become a certified plastic surgeon the doctor must complete five to seven years of training, preferably in the surgical field, the final two years of training must be in the area in which they want to be certified. This must be done before applying for certification and taking both the oral and written exams. This extra training will enhance your chances of having a seamless procedure without any difficulties.

What does that mean for you the patient? Since there is no law keeping physicians from calling themselves a plastic surgeon, even if they have no prior training in either the cosmetic or surgical fields, if you find one that is certified then you know you are going to someone that knows what they are doing. By choosing a non-certified physician for your procedure you run the risk of something going wrong. All procedures where anesthesia is involved pose some risk. Without the extra training and knowledge you run a greater risk of something going wrong. It also gives you the added comfort of knowing that if something does go wrong then your doctor will know what to do.

It’s important to take your time when you are making this decision. It’s okay to skip over a physician if he isn’t a board certified plastic surgeon. You need someone that will not only be able to answer your questions during your consultation but some one that you know, knows what he is doing when it comes time to have the procedure done. While you might think you’re getting a better deal on doctor’s fees by going with someone who is not certified, you do run a greater risk of something going wrong that could end up costing you a lot more than you thought.