Many doctors marketing themselves as cosmetic surgeons do procedures beyond the scope of their training
An article released in October by the AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS is something everyone must read if they are considering plastic and reconstructive surgery. To read the full article, visit the link below.
“Cosmetic surgery – that’s just another way of saying plastic surgery, right?” Wrong. Doctors who advertise themselves as certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) don’t measure up to meet the criteria required for board-certified plastic surgeons.
“When selecting an aesthetic surgeon, many patients place trust in knowing their surgeon is a ‘board-certified’ plastic surgeon,” Dr. Drolet and coauthors write. “Many patients falsely assume all surgeons must be board-certified in plastic surgery in order to perform cosmetic procedures.”
As the authors write, the unregulated growth of the aesthetic marketplace may make it difficult for patients to find a qualified cosmetic surgeon. Misleading marketing and overtly false advertising are widespread in many large markets. One metric commonly used to select a qualified surgeon is board-certification; however, that distinction has become obfuscated, blurring the lines for patients.
Board-certified plastic surgeons must have at least six years of surgical training, including completion of an accredited plastic surgery training program. They must perform thousands of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures of different types, pass rigorous written and oral examinations and commit to continuing education and assessment throughout their careers.
However, an ABCS-diplomat is asked to complete only one year of surgical training, experience 300 procedures and one written and oral examination completed during a single weekend, with no continuing medical education requirements.
For more information, read the full article. The surgeons at Salmon Creek Plastic Surgery are all board certified.