My Plastic Surgeon

Serving Chattanooga, Tennessee

Modern plastic surgery is a discipline that combines a mastery of anatomy, advanced surgical technique, a thorough understanding of how our tissues work, and a good measure of artisanship.  Those of us who have made plastic surgery our life’s work understand how powerful a tool plastic surgery can be in the hands of an expert.  It is, however, a double-edged sword because in the hands of the ill-prepared the same gratifying techniques can lead to significant disappointment.

How should one select their plastic surgeon? Most severely injured patients do not get the opportunity to review the credentials of their surgeons.  The life or limb threatening injuries they have suffered require the prompt attention of experts.  This is where your trauma center hospital acts for you.  All plastic surgeons you meet in the emergency room have risen to the high standards set by each hospital to maintain the privilege to admit and treat patients in their facility.

However, patients typically choose a specific surgeon to perform an elective surgery.  In today’s confusing healthcare world, patients often misunderstand or are consciously misled regarding the qualifications and experience of their surgeon.  Plastic surgeons that are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) are among the most highly trained surgeons in the United States.  To achieve ABPS certification, most plastic surgeons have completed five years of training in general surgery, and two years of plastic surgery residency.  Many have had further fellowships in super-sub specialties like hand surgery, microsurgery, or craniofacial surgery.  They have had their qualifications reviewed and their capabilities tested before they can achieve the ABPS stamp of approval.

Unfortunately, there are those who would like to imitate the ABPS board certification process without committing themselves to the rigorous and time consuming training that goes with it.  As my Dad always told me, “If you want to arrive, you have to take the trip.”  Many of these “cosmetic surgeons” have trained in (ENT) otolaryngology but others are dermatologists, or even family medicine physicians.  They may participate in some form of fellowship training in cosmetic surgery; and then, want to be “your” plastic surgeon.  However, their primary training has been in an entirely different specialty.

So, here is the sum of it.  You should be certain The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) certified the physician you are calling “my plastic surgeon.”  Period.  No other.  There is no other board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to certify plastic surgeons.  No Cosmetic Surgery Board of this or that carries the weight of the ABPS.  An American Board of Plastic Surgery certified physician has privileges to operate in the best hospitals in town.  The hospitals look very closely at physician credentials.  Non-American Board of Plastic Surgery physicians never perform plastic surgery in the hospitals.  Where would you be transferred if you had a complication with surgery performed by a non American Board of Plastic Surgery physician?

The physician you select as “my plastic surgeon” has been trained to be an expert in cosmetic surgery of the entire body, but he also performs reconstructive surgeries.  Most reconstructive surgery is covered by health care insurance.  The larger insurance companies do a good job credentialing their physicians. “My plastic surgeon” is an educator and is involved in imparting his knowledge and skills to the next generation.  A university academic appointment is not easily acquired. It requires a true commitment to teaching and continuous medical education in the latest plastic surgery literature and techniques. Your primary care physician should be asked to recommend the doctor you call “my plastic surgeon.”  If you are considering aesthetic or elective surgery, ask your primary doctor for some guidance as he will know the competent, highly trained physicians in your community.        

The right plastic surgeon for you is a very personal choice.  Know who and what you are getting.  Check references.  Do not be taken in by advertising that is long on self promotion and short on fact. Ask about ABPS certification.  Let the physician you call “my plastic surgeon” be the best qualified you can find.