Why Choose a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?
Careful Choices Make for Safer Surgery
There are 3 major decisions that consumers should evaluate before having any kind of elective plastic surgery. The first and most important is selecting a qualified Board-certified plastic surgeon you can trust.
Choosing an FSPS Member Surgeon ensures that you have selected a highly qualified plastic surgeon who:
- Has completed at least five years of surgical training with a minimum of two years in plastic surgery.
- Is trained and experienced in all plastic surgery procedures, including breast, body, face and reconstruction.
- Operates only in accredited medical facilities
- Adheres to a strict code of ethics.
- Fulfills continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.
- Is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery
Additionally, the plastic surgeon should meet with you prior to surgery to evaluate your options thoroughly, and to discuss your risks. After surgery, the plastic surgeon should be easily available to help you with your post-operative care. Be wary of places where you don’t meet the surgeon until the day of your procedure, or places where you won’t be seeing the surgeon after your operation. To check whether your surgeon is board-certified, look them up for free at CertificationMatters.org.
The second key decision involves your choice of anesthesia provider. Not all operations are suitable to be done safely with just numbing shots – known as “local” anesthesia. If any kind of sedation medication is given, the FSPS recommends that you double-check prior to your surgery to ensure you will have a board-certified MD anesthesiologist or licensed CRNA (nurse anesthetist) be your anesthesia provider, directly monitoring your breathing, blood pressure and other vital signs through the entire surgical procedure, and in the recovery room afterwards. This is an important safety feature any time any medication is given to sedate or relax the patient.
The third important decision involves the choice of the facility. The FSPS recommends that all plastic surgery, no matter how minor, should be performed in an accredited and inspected facility. Accreditation ensures that the facility meets key safety standards, such as having the right equipment and medications in case of emergency, correct sterilization techniques for instruments, and properly educated staff. Look for certification by JCAHO, AAAASF, AAAHC, or the State of Florida.
Taking some extra time to research these 3 decisions will help you find the right surgeon, anesthesia provider, and facility – and will help you maximize your safety during the surgical process.
By choosing an FSPS member surgeon, you know you are getting a plastic surgeon with verified, top-notch credentials. To see a listing of the entire membership of the FSPS, sorted both alphabetically by name and geographically, visit our Member Directory.