Credentials: Why Select a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for Your Cosmetic Surgery?

  • Plastic
    surgeons are trained to perform 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.

  • Plastic surgeons are experts in both facial
    and body procedures. Board-certified plastic
    surgeons complete a minimum of five years
    of surgical training following medical school,
    including a plastic surgery residency program.
    In-depth training encompasses surgical procedures
    of the face and the entire body.
  • Plastic surgeons are trained to prevent
    and, if necessary, handle emergencies. A
    comprehensive education, including a sound
    foundation in anatomy and physiology, provides
    plastic surgeons with an understanding of
    all body systems-including ventilation,
    circulation, fluid and electrolyte balance-which
    is vitally important to patient safety.
  • Plastic surgeons' training develops technical
    skill and aesthetic judgment. Experience
    gained during years of training in complex
    reconstructive surgery provides plastic
    surgeons with outstanding technical skills.
    Additionally, however, the continuous attention
    to form as well as function provides these
    specialists with a finely tuned sense of
    aesthetics-a unique qualification that is
    critical to the success of cosmetic surgery
    where judgments of balance and proportion
    are called upon.
  • Plastic surgeons have access to a wide range
    of potential treatments. 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.

    Because state laws permit any licensed
    physician to call him - or herself a "plastic"
    or "cosmetic" surgeon - even if
    he or she has not been trained as a plastic
    surgeon or has had no surgical training
    at all - prospective patients must select
    their doctor carefully.

    • About ASAPS
    The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is recognized as the world’s leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body.  ASAPS is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; active members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. International active members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.

    Website: www.surgery.org
    Follow ASAPS on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ASAPS
    Become a fan of ASAPS on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AestheticSociety
    Become a member of Project Beauty: www.projectbeauty.com
    Locate a plastic surgeon in your area:  http://www.surgery.org/consumers/find-a-plastic-surgeon

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