Importance of Using a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

While plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures are not in the same realm as fixing a broken bone or undergoing a cardiac bypass, they are not meant to be taken lightly.

There are many doctors out there who have received training in other fields yet claim to be “plastic surgeons,” even when they are technically not qualified. If electing to receive plastic surgery from surgeons who aren’t experts in their field will often result in botched plastic surgery procedures that can cause undesirable outcomes or worse.

In order for a qualified plastic surgeon to stand out amongst others, they receive valid certifications to document their expertise. There are a few credible organizations dedicated to ensuring that worthy plastic surgeons are certified for their skills, so the general public isn’t duped into receiving botched plastic surgery treatments. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting safe, ethical, efficacious plastic surgery to the public while maintaining high standards for the education, examination, certification, and continuous certification of plastic surgeons as specialists and sub-specialists. They provide valid certifications for qualified plastic surgeons.

To be certified by ABPS, a doctor must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete at least 6 years of additional training as a resident surgeon in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The residency training must cover all areas of surgery. Receiving certification from ABPS ensures that the doctor is experienced and possesses the skills to successfully perform plastic surgery procedures.

The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) is a certifying board that is dedicated to improving the quality of medical and surgical treatment available to the public by examining for professional expertise in facial plastic surgery. Both the ASPS and the ABFPRS certification are valid for ten years, and surgeons are encouraged to be re-certified after this period to ensure that their skills still adhere to the ABFPRS standard.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) is one of the world’s largest organizations representing specialists who treat the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck.

The AAO-HNS certification requires candidates to successfully complete a qualifying exam and, pending that they pass the qualifying exam, an oral examination is then required. AAO-HNS certifications last for 20 years. In choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by reputable organizations like ABPS, ABFPRS, and AAO-HNS, you can be assured that the surgeon has completed the appropriate training and passed comprehensive written and oral examinations covering specific plastic surgery procedures.

At Annapolis Plastic Surgery, Dr. James Chappell holds a valid ABPS certification and Dr. Bryan Ambro holds a valid ABFPRS certification. With Annapolis Plastic Surgery, you can feel safe and confident in your choice. Contact us today to set up a consultation.