How to research a Cosmetic Surgeon

Choosing a Surgeon -

In order to select a qualified surgeon, experienced with breast implantation, you should ask the following questions:

The answers to these questions should provide key information in evaluating the technical qualifications of your surgeon.

IMPORTANT TIPS:

Importance of Board Certification

Your Plastic Surgeon should be certified in plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

Note: Do not confuse the ABPS with the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery (ABFPRS) or The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) or any other board.  These other boards are NOT recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ABMS oversees legit boards and is expressly designed to provide public protection through quality control in medical education.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the ONLY plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Almost 90% of all licensed physicians in the United States are certified by an ABMS Member Board. 

By choosing an ABPS certified plastic surgeon, patients are ensured the physician has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of residency. Usually three years of general surgery and two years of plastic surgery. A physician must also practice for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral examinations.

Becoming a Medical Doctor Requires.

BACHELOR'S DEGREE-Usually Pre-Med or Biology.

MCAT-A 6 hour exam to get into Medical School.

MEDICAL DEGREE-"MD"-4 years of med-school and passing the Boards (a 2 day/12 hour exam) Part I and Part II (another 2 day/12 hour exam). Upon graduating medical school, one is considered an "MD," but can only practice in a residency program until they become a licensed physician.

LICENSED PHYSICIAN-After completing 1 year of residency and passing Boards Part III, then they are considered a General Practitioner or "GP".

RESIDENCY-"On the job training" of at least three years. Five to seven years are required for ABPS certified plastic surgeons.

BOARD ELIGIBLE-Means one has completed the required residency and is eligible to become Board Certified in their specialty by passing the certification exam for that specialty.

BOARD CERTIFIED-Passing certification is not required for any doctor to practice medicine, but is important when finding a good physician and determining if one is trained to be a specialist, such as a plastic surgeon.

How to Check-Up on Your Doctor

Beware of doctors who just moved from out of state (not only is it harder to track records but they may have lost their license in another state). Those fresh out of residency are less likely to have any complaints, but they also have less experience. However, they may be more up to date than their older comrades. Lastly, just because a doctor is older does not mean that s/he has been practicing medicine for a long time. There is no age requirement for attending medical school.

KnowX.com Searches Public Records for $1, if there is information found, it will cost an additional $6.95 to read it. Several visitors found alarming information about their doctor here, this could be very worthwhile.

COUNTY COURTHOUSE: Research cases in the county where the doctor practices.  It is important to pull up the file and find out exactly what the cases are about. If the doctor has been in practice for some a long time, the higher their chances are of having been sued. Also, it is not always because of any wrongdoing, but because they are also an easy target for lawsuits. Surgeons have the highest number of lawsuits. Plastic Surgeons may have a great deal of lawsuits due to the alleged problems of silicone.

MEDICAL BOARD: Call to inquire about the complaints filed against your doctor. A filed complaint means that someone was unhappy enough with the service they received to complain to the board. Sometimes "Letters of Concern" were sent to the doctor from the Board. The "Letters of Concern" are a warning that if the doctor doesn't change, further actions will be taken. The doctor could have their certification removed, or license suspended or revoked. 

DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE in your state. They should have a listing of all the closed claims and you should be able to check to see if your Plastic Surgeon had any claims filed against him.