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Research Your Surgeon’s Credentials

The first thing you should look for is your surgeon’s credentials. Their expertise and experience—and vetting by an independent medical board—are critical to ensuring your safety and well-being.

At a minimum, look for certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is the only cosmetic surgery certifying body recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. ABPS board certification signifies that the surgeon has undergone rigorous training, passed stringent oral and written exams, and meets high standards of technical skill and patient care.

Memberships in professional societies such as The Aesthetic Society or the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) are also strong indicators of a surgeon’s commitment to staying abreast of the latest medical news and research. The letters FACS after a surgeon’s name is another marker of clinical excellence as they have passed the requirements to become a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

How To Check If a Plastic Surgeon Is Board-Certified

Now that you understand the importance of board certification, how do you verify a surgeon’s credentials? While reputable plastic surgeons will display their board certification and credentials on their website, it can be helpful to cross-reference this information through the relevant certifying bodies’ websites (such as the ABPS’ online verification tool) to confirm that the surgeon is still actively certified and in good standing with the board.

Read Up About the Surgeon’s Experience and Expertise

Beyond certification, consider the surgeon’s experience performing the specific procedure you’re interested in. Ask how often they perform the procedure and if they have completed any specialized training or fellowships. A surgeon with extensive experience in your desired procedure is more likely to deliver optimal results.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons are immensely skilled and talented in various plastic surgery procedures. However, they are especially well known for specific procedures. Dr. Bauer has performed 50,000+ breast surgeries, Dr. Catignani is an award-winning mommy makeover specialist, and Dr. Fardo has specialty training in oculoplastic surgery, which gives him additional expertise in eyelid surgery and brow lifts.

Gain Insights From Real Patients

Learn more about the practice and surgeon from the people who were once in your shoes. Online reviews can be a great way to gather information about the patient experience, how satisfied they were with their results, and what concerns they may have had.

On a similar note, viewing the surgeon’s real patient before-and-after gallery is a great way of seeing the results a surgeon consistently produces and whether their aesthetic sensibilities align with your goals.

Schedule a Consultation

While many surgeons may look great on paper, it’s all about the in-person connection. Once you have an opportunity to speak with them, do you feel like they truly listen and understand your goals? Are you comfortable with them operating on you, and do you feel like you have the information you need to make the best decisions about your treatment and care?

Once you consider all of the above factors, you should be led to a plastic surgeon who is not only “good” but also the right one for you. If you would like to learn more about the procedures we offer, please request a consultation online or call us at (770) 667-0904 to get started today.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons also perform nonsurgical procedures! Learn more about why their medical expertise matters in our related blog post.