The Importance of Visiting a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

We all know that doctors undergo many years of school to be able to practice medicine, but what you may not know is that not all cosmetic surgeons have the same level of training, and you are better off choosing a doctor who is board-certified. This blog will explain why board certification is important and what you can expect when you visit a qualified specialist.

What is Board Certification?

Doctors who practice as board-certified physicians can only make that claim after having completed a residency period of extensive training in their chosen specialty and succeeded in passing exhaustive written and oral exams that cover the full range of relevant knowledge in that specialty.  These requirements are governed by national organizations, or boards, in each of the specialty areas.

All the specialty boards are overseen by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and require a residency period of hands-on training before the extensive examination.  There are some boards not recognized by the ABMS, many of which do not require the residency training and thus do not share the same level of rigor.

Should my Surgeon be Board-Certified?

Doctors are awarded their license to practice by their state medical board. Being licensed to practice and board-certified by the state medical board are not the same thing as being board-certified in a medical specialty. 

If you are considering plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures, the only way to know that you are working with a physician with the highest level of training is to find a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. As a bonus, find a surgeon who is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, which is the gold standard for board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in cosmetic surgery. 

Choosing a surgeon with the right qualifications guarantees that you will be receiving treatment from someone who has spent years learning how to perform the surgery you are considering.  Throughout their years of residency training, they have seen and performed thousands of surgeries, and they have had hands-on instruction from advanced surgeons with decades of experience.  They have also been able to demonstrate their knowledge and training by passing rigorous exams.

How Do I Know if My Surgeon is Board-Certified?

The simplest way to find out is to look on their website for this information.  Plastic surgeons who are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery display this information publicly. If you cannot find this information on their website, you should ask your prospective surgeon about it during a consultation.  You can specifically ask about their residency training as well.

Dr. Bradley is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), which is the premier professional society for a board-certified Plastic Surgeons who specialize in cosmetic and aesthetic surgery. For membership to ASAPS, members must demonstrate a practice committed to aesthetic surgery with enough numbers and types of cosmetic surgery cases and a certain number of Category I continuing medical education credits (CMEs) in the area of cosmetic surgery.

If I Can Save Some Money, What Is the Drawback of Choosing A Non-Board-Certified Surgeon?

Unfortunately, state regulations do not dictate what trainings are required for specialized doctors. You can find many doctors in this area, across the state, and even throughout the country who have not completed a residency in surgery at all or have failed their board exams but market themselves as plastic surgeons. 

While there is always some risk when having surgery, doctors who have had extensive hands-on, advanced training are better able to manage risk and have superior techniques with which to perform procedures. It is no secret that practice leads to greater skill, and board-certified plastic surgeons have had extensive practice to demonstrate their proficiencies.

It is not uncommon for doctors who are not board-certified to offer cosmetic procedures at a discount to try to entice patients, but plastic surgery is not where you want to save money. You are risking a poor outcome or complications that may arise from someone who lacks proper training and experience or has been unable to pass examinations. It’s simply not worth it.

Visit Board-Certified Dr. Timothy Bradley

In addition to being experienced, board-certified, and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Bradley is also a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) which is only open to plastic surgeons who are already members of their home country Aesthetic Plastic Surgery professional organization. Going one step further in the area of cosmetic surgery, Dr. Bradley has earned the Certificate of Advanced Education (CAE) in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery through the ASAPS, which is earned by members who achieve enough Category I continuing medical education credits (CMEs) in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery within a given time frame.

If you are considering plastic surgery or other cosmetic procedures, don’t take a risk on someone who isn’t a board-certified plastic surgeon. If you are in the Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, or Miami area, call 954.446.6464 today to schedule a consult with Dr. Bradley, a board-certified plastic surgeon; his superior training and extensive experience mean that you will get only the best possible outcomes!

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