When you’re considering plastic surgery, credentials matter. At The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery, our skilled providers have undergone years of focused training to become board-certified plastic surgeons. But not everyone performing cosmetic surgery has the same level of education, experience, or verified expertise. So, what does board certification actually mean? How can you tell who’s qualified and who just sounds qualified? Let’s break it down.

What Is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?

A board-certified plastic surgeon has completed extensive education and hands-on training specific to reconstructive and aesthetic surgery—not just general medicine.

To earn certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a surgeon must:

• Complete 4 years of medical school
• Finish at least 6 years of surgical training (with at least 3 years focused on plastic surgery)
• Pass rigorous written and oral board exams
• Maintain high ethical standards and commit to continuing education

Bottom line: Becoming board certified is not easy, and that’s a good thing. Certification ensures your surgeon is equipped to deliver safe, high-quality care tailored to your needs.

How Board Certification Protects You

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is essential for your safety and peace of mind. When you select an ABPS-certified surgeon, you can feel confident knowing your surgeon is equipped to handle your procedure safely and skillfully. Board certification also requires surgeons to uphold strict ethical standards, so you can trust that your well-being is always their top priority throughout your surgical journey.

How To Check if a Plastic Surgeon Is Board Certified

Not sure if your surgeon’s credentials are legit? You’re not alone. Many patients are surprised to learn that some doctors performing cosmetic procedures aren’t certified in plastic surgery at all.

Here are 2 different ways to confirm:

• Use the American Board of Plastic Surgery’s (ABPS) verification tool.
• Check the American Board of Medical Specialties to search by the physician’s name.

Don’t rely on titles alone. “Board certified” only means something if it’s from a recognized medical board—specifically the ABPS in the case of plastic surgery.

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon vs. Cosmetic Surgeon

The terms “plastic surgeon” and “cosmetic surgeon” are not interchangeable, although they’re often used that way.

Here’s the difference:

• Plastic surgeons are certified by the ABPS, which requires years of surgical training in reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.
• Cosmetic surgeons may have completed far less formal training, and sometimes none specifically in plastic surgery.

If you’re trusting someone with your face or body, make sure they have the proper training to back it up.

Meet the Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons at The Swan Center

At The Swan Center, we’re proud to have an experienced, credentialed team of board-certified plastic surgeons: Dr. Joseph G. Bauer, Dr. Dean Fardo, and Dr. Cristen Catignani. Our surgeons share a commitment to safety, surgical artistry, and compassionate, personalized care to ensure you receive the best care and results possible.

Choose a Surgeon You Can Trust

Your body deserves the best. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon means choosing someone with the training, judgment, and experience to help you look and feel your best—safely. If you’d like to speak with one of our surgeons, call The Swan Center for Plastic Surgery today at (770) 667-0904 or request your consultation using our online form.

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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.