Verifying your healthcare provider’s certifications before going under the knife can save you from a dangerous experience一not all surgeons are qualified to perform plastic surgeries. When a doctor is recognized by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), it means that they’ve gone under a rigorous, professional training that ensures you’re in safe hands during any procedure. Before you look into our options in New Jersey, we’re here to tell you why a board-certified plastic surgeon should be your first choice, and the differences with cosmetic surgeons.
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon: Beyond The Certificate
When we talk about a board-certified plastic surgeon, we refer to a physician that has obtained the Board Certification by the ABPS. This title is only awarded after undergoing a formal residency in Plastic Surgery, passing rigorous written exams after the first 6 or 18 months of training, difficult oral examinations and learning about the ethics and standards of these procedures.
Although physicians with a medical license can legally put breast implants or perform tummy tucks, institutions and patients normally prefer those that have a board certification. Checking on your doctor’s training and background carefully can tell you if they have an ABPS certification. To verify it, you can search for their name through the American Board of Medical Specialities (ABMS)’s website.
3 Reasons Why A Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Is Safe For You
Enhancing your looks, changing your appearance or reshaping a part of your body is only a fraction of what you should expect from plastic surgery一high safety and commitment to ethical standards are also important. Choosing a board-certified surgeon ensures that all these requirements are met, while also giving you the best results. Let’s dive deeper into what makes them the best choice for New Jersey patients:
- Ensured Professional Expertise
- Improved Patient Safety
- Access to Personalized Care & Advanced Techniques
1. Ensured Professional Expertise
When you see a board-certified plastic surgeon, you’re receiving attention from a professional with an extensive education. During their academic period, these specialists gain hands-on experience in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery techniques, learning about the ethical standards and abilities required to perform these procedures.
2. Improved Patient Safety
Since these surgeons follow strict safety protocols, choosing one for your next procedure is beneficial for your health. They can identify if there’s any potential risks during the surgery, using advanced techniques and tools to monitor your vital signs during the process. With this delicate approach, they put an emphasis on your wellbeing above all.
3. Access to Personalized Care & New Techniques
A board-certified plastic surgeon understands your goals and medical history, creating tailored treatment plans according to your needs. Combined with their usage of modern tools and techniques, they can perform these procedures with a minimally invasive approach, providing results that require less downtime.
What Sets Cosmetic & Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons Apart
As a patient, maybe you’ve thought that cosmetic and plastic surgeons were just synonyms, but it’s far from the truth. Differentiating them can help you choose who will lead your next procedure. Below are the key contrasts between these two practices:
Reconstructive or Aesthetic
Plastic surgery isn’t only about changing your looks, it consists of many sub-specialties. On one side, there’s reconstructive surgery, which is meant for patients who want to restore body parts due to an injury, illnesses like cancer, or a birth defect. On the other side, there is cosmetic surgery, aimed at reshaping and enhancing your appearance. A plastic surgeon can perform both of these surgeries, but a cosmetic surgeon can’t perform a reconstructive procedure, because they don’t have the same training.
Different Experiences
During the completion of their schooling, a board-certified plastic surgeon serves as a surgical resident for 3 years, where they go under a rigorous program. After that, they spend another 3 to 4 years in a plastic surgery-focused training period . In contrast, a cosmetic surgeon can be a licensed doctor that belongs in any specialty with a one-year surgery training, where they learn key topics such as liposuction performance, how to use injectables, etc.
Board Certifications
While a board-certified plastic surgeon is recognized by the ABPS, the only Board that can certify doctors in this medical specialty, cosmetic surgeons may receive their certificate from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS)., which isn’t recognized as a valid certificate according to the American Board of Medical Specialties
💉Read more: Plastic Surgery vs Cosmetic Surgery: A Difference Beyond Beauty
Find The Right Surgeon For You in New Jersey
If your plan is to go under the knife soon, you can avoid any risks during your surgery by making sure your healthcare provider is qualified for it. A board-certified plastic surgeon manages any potential complications, uses the latest medical techniques and keeps up with high quality standards to deliver the best results for you, while safeguarding your health. If you’re in New Jersey, you can visit us at Northeastern Plastic Surgery to explore our options. Our team, led by board-certified surgeon Dr. Joseph Fodero, will make sure that you look and feel your best. Contact us to book your appointment.