What is the difference between reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery?

Reconstructive surgery corrects defects (as in breast reconstruction after cancery surgery) or restores function, while cosmetic surgery is meant to improve a person's normal appearance.

What does the term board-certified plastic surgeon mean? Aren't all plastic surgeons "board-certified"?

You should know that physicians may call themselves "plastic surgeons" even if they were trained in a nonsurgical specialty. Anyone who has a medical license can call himself or herself a surgeon, even if he or she has no formal training in surgery.

Some of these physicians without plastic surgery training may perform cosmetic surgery in their offices, but do not have privileges to perform these procedures at an accredited hospital.

Physicians who are trained in plastic surgery, and board-certified by the ABPS, may also perform cosmetic surgery procedures in their offices. However, these trained and board certified plastic surgeons will also have hospital privileges at accredited hospitals. You should ask about - and check on - your plastic surgeon's credentials and hospital privileges before undergoing any treatment or surgery. It is important that your doctor has hospital privileges to perform the proposed procedure, even in-office procedures. Hospitals give doctors privileges to do procedures that fit under their training guidelines

When we refer to a plastic surgeon as "board-certified", we mean one who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The ABPS is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify physicians in the full range of plastic and reconstructive procedures. To be certified by the ABPS, a physician must have at least five years of approved surgical training, including a residency in plastic surgery. He or she must also pass a comprehensive written and oral exams in plastic surgery.

Your surgeon should complete a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). In addition, the surgeon should be comfortable performing the procedure in which the patient is interested. Having the right credentials does not necessarily mean the doctor is skilled in specific types of surgery.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.com is currently working on board certified plastic surgeon listings for all states in the U.S.

If you cannot find a board-certified plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon on our listings, perhaps we can assist you. Please scroll to the bottom of the page for more information on how we may assist you in your search for a board-certified plastic or cosmetic surgeon near you.

How can I find the top five, the top 10, the best, etc., plastic surgeon in my city or state?
There is no easy answer to that question. "The best" or "the top" is a relative term. Do you mean by "the best" or "top ten" the busiest plastic surgeon? The most experienced? The cosmetic surgeon who charges the most for each procedure? The most well-known?

You must decide which board-certified plastic surgeon is best for you after doing a thorough investigation. As always, we suggest you begin by checking with the American Board of Plastic Surgery to be certain your cosmetic or plastic surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery. Then contact your state board of medicine or medical examiners and check further on his or her credentials. The contact information to carry out these steps is on the bottom of this page.

What questions should I ask before I make an appointment with a plastic surgeon?
There are many questions you should ask about your fitness as a plastic surgery candidate, etc., but first you want to choose a good plastic surgeon.

Here are a few good questions you might want to ask any doctor, but in this case the plastic surgeon, before you even make that first appointment:

### Are you board-certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

What is the extent of our training in plastic surgery?

How many years have you exclusively practiced plastic surgery?

What procedures do you perform most frequently?

Approximately how many times have have you performed ____________?
(This would be the procedure you are interested in having.)

Do you have hospital privileges to perform the procedure I'm inquiring about?

Please tell me about the facility: is it accredited by a state or nationally recognized agency, and where is it?

Is your medical license in good standing in the state where you practice?

Have you ever practiced in another state?

Have you ever had your medical license suspended or revoked?

Are you on probation?

Are you being treated for drug or alcohol abuse?

How much experience do you have performing (the cosmetic surgery procedure or treatment)?

Have you ever been disciplined by the Board of Medicine in the state where you are practicing, or anywhere else?

Have you settled any medical malpractice or negligence lawsuits?

Do you think I'm a good candidate for the procedure I'm interested in having?

Please tell me about preparation for the procedure, risks and possible complications (and how to limit the chance of these occuring), recovery time, etc.

May I please view before and after photos of any of your prior patients who have had this procedure?

These are just a few questions. You might think of a few of your own. Make sure your surgeon is experienced in the procedure you are considering. Just because a surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery does NOT necessarily mean he or she is experienced in the procedure you are considering!

Please carefully check your surgeons credentials before considering any treatment.

One of the BEST tools we have ever come across on the internet is a "COSMETIC SURGEON CHECKLIST" put out by the Arizona Medical Board.
The 4-page form lists just about every question you should ask - and get an answer to - before settling upon a physician/surgeon.
Here is the link to this list of questins to ask your plastic surgeon: Cosmetic Surgeon Checklist.

What are the most popular plastic surgery procedures?

Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Breast Augmentation Nose Reshaping Liposuction Eyelid Surgery Tummy Tuck

Minimally Invasive Procedures BOTOX ® Chemical Peel Laser Hair Removal Microdermabrasion Hyaluronic acid

You can see an overview of many cosmetic surgery procedures here:
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Overview

What are average physician/surgeon fees for cosmetic surgery procedures?

Cosmetic surgery costs can vary widely from surgeon to surgeon and from one city or area to another.
You should ask your plastic surgeon what the fee he/she quotes includes; is it only his or her surgeon's fee? Click here are some average surgeon fees for popular cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures:

What are the some of the latest breakthroughs in plastic surgery?

Breakthroughs in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery occur frequently. You can read about them at our plastic surgery news page found at Plastic Surgery News

Recently, the FDA approved an injectable filler, Sculpta, manufactured by Dermik Laboratories of Berwyn, PA, for use in HIV/AIDS patients with lipoatrophy, or facial wasting. Loss of facial fat in patients with immunodeficiency disease is common. Please read the FDA press release about the approval of Sculptra by clicking on the link.

Help us to build a directory of top board certified plastic surgeons.
Recommend the best board certified cosmetic or reconstructive surgeon.

ABPS:
When we say "board-certified", we mean board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
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