Did you know that any licensed doctor, regardless of training, can legally perform cosmetic plastic surgery and even call him- or herself a "plastic" or "cosmetic" surgeon? That's why it is important to keep these tips in mind when considering any type of cosmetic surgery:
Being quoted in a popular magazine is not a guarantee of a surgeon's qualifications.
Plastic surgeons are frequently interviewed by the media. Some serve as spokespersons for reputable professional organizations, some are sought out by reporters who have seen their name elsewhere, and others may have public relations representatives who are hired to obtain print or broadcast exposure. There is nothing wrong with a doctor appearing in the media to provide accurate information to the public, and he or she may be an excellent and reputable physician. But don't assume that media coverage is an automatic endorsement of a physician's qualifications. Do your own research on credentials.
Cosmetic surgery is surgery; read physician advertisements with a critical eye.
Be careful of advertisements that promise quick and easy surgery, guarantee unrealistic results, or use language intended to persuade or mislead prospective patients. Appropriate advertisements will state a surgeon's credentials, including board certification and the name of the certifying board. Don't be confused by an array of official-sounding boards and certifications. Remember, anyone can create their own board, give it a name and issue certificates! The American Board of Plastic Surgery is recognized by the official American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify surgeons in plastic surgery including cosmetic plastic surgery.
When checking credentials, make sure your doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the leading organization of board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic surgery.
It may sound obvious, but many people don't realize that only some of the 24 medical specialties recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties include surgical training. Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty.
Board-certified plastic surgeons are experts in both facial and body procedures. A comprehensive education, including a minimum of five years of surgical training following medical school, provides plastic surgeons with an understanding of all body systems-including ventilation, circulation, fluid and electrolyte balance-which is vitally important to patient safety.
Of all the different medical specialists, plastic surgeons have the training to offer their patients the entire scope of cosmetic treatment modalities. Their recommendations are not limited by lack of training or inability to obtain hospital privileges to perform complex procedures when necessary.
The Peer Group's plastic surgeons are (left to right):
Front row ( J.J. Keyser, Richard Hawrylo),
Back row ( Francisco G. Colon, Isaac Starker, David Lange,and Brian S. Glatt )
