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Meaning of Board Certified - Plastic Surgery in Chicago
Everyone has heard the phrase "board certified", however, not everyone knows exactly what
it means or what to look for. This article will give you a detailed understanding of the meaning
of "board certified" as it relates to plastic surgery in Chicago.
Patients are encouraged to consider a Chicago plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic
Surgery (ABPS). By choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by the ABPS, a patient can be assured
that the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least 5 years of
additional residency - usually 3 years of general surgery (or its equivalent) and 2 years of plastic
surgery. To be certified by the ABPS, a doctor must also practice plastic surgery for 2 years and
pass comprehensive written and oral exams.
Few if any boards in other fields of medicine are as rigorous in examining physicians as the American Board of Plastic
Surgery. Currently ABPS issues certificates that are only good for 10 years. Certificate renewal requires submission of a
6 month case list followed by a written examination based on the case list. This assures the patient their ABPS certified
surgeon is up to date in the areas of surgery performed. This is the most vigorous certification renewal process of any
board listed with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
Board certification in and of itself has nothing to do with being up to date or continuing medical education. Only
the boards listed with the American Board of Medical Specialties should be considered legitimate boards. There are
no boards of specific procedures (such as liposuction or tummy tuck).
Cosmetic surgery is not the same as plastic surgery. Any physician can call himself a cosmetic surgeon. The term
"cosmetic surgeon" is unregulated. Many physicians call themselves cosmetic surgeons to distinguish themselves from
plastic surgeons. Plastic surgeons can do both cosmetic and reconstructive work. Only the American Board of Plastic
Surgery
can certify a plastic surgeon.
Is the Chicago plastic surgeon you are considering certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? One way to
determine whether the doctor you will be seeing is a Board Certified plastic surgeon is to access the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
referral program. A fully trained board certified plastic surgeon must pass
both written and oral examinations to become certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A surgeon with
this specialized training will be able to discuss the best options for you.
This doesn't man that a physician calling themselves a cosmetic surgeon is a bad thing; it just means that you as a
consumer need to ask more questions about what their board certification is in, their training, their professional
affiliations and their experience.
Also, keep in mind that many physicians from different specialties do cosmetic surgery with significant differences
in training. It is possible to take a weekend course in an operation or procedure and then call yourself a specialist
in that technique. This is why the question of experience is so critical in these situations.
Please check with your individual state licensing boards or online at the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
where online you can verify the board certification of any physician.
The (ABMS) recognizes 24 boards that certify physicians. These physicians have to meet rigorous standards by their
individual boards, which includes completion of four years of medical school, at least three years of a residency in
their specialized field and passing grades on a written and oral exam. Besides being board certified, your surgeon
should be a member of recognized medical societies. If you choose a plastic surgeon, he or she should belong to the
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) or
the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS).
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS) is a national medical society of the AMA,
which represents facial and reconstructive surgeons. Members of the AAFPRS are board-certified surgeons whose focus
is surgery of the face, head, and neck. A majority of the members of this society are certified by the American
Board of Otolaryngology. Others are certified in plastic surgery, ophthalmology and dermatology. Other
organizations to check board certified physicians that you may be interested in would be, The American
Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Head and Neck Surgery, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) and
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS).
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