Your Safety Depends on It: The Ultimate Guide to Verifying Your Plastic Surgeon’s Credentials Before Going Under the Knife
Choosing a plastic surgeon is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make for your health and appearance. With the number of cosmetic surgeries increasing by 22% since 2000, the market has become flooded with practitioners of varying qualifications. Unfortunately, not all surgeons advertising cosmetic services are properly trained or certified in plastic surgery. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of conducting a thorough background check on your potential plastic surgeon, ensuring you make an informed decision that prioritizes your safety and results.
Start with Board Certification: The Gold Standard
The most critical credential to verify is board certification. In the US, the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify surgeons in the specialty of plastic surgery. This distinction is crucial because some surgeons who perform plastic surgery may advertise that they are “certified” but their board-certification may not be in plastic surgery. A surgeon board-certified in another specialty, while qualified in that specialty, likely will not possess the education, training and experience of a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
To verify board certification, visit the American Board of Plastic Surgery website at www.abplasticsurgery.org. You can also use the comprehensive Certification Matters database at www.certificationmatters.org to check certification status across all medical specialties.
Verify State Medical License and Disciplinary History
Every practicing physician must hold a valid state medical license. If you live in the United States, you can start by visiting the Federation of State Medical Boards (FDMB) website. The website has a search function where you can check the basic information about your surgeons such as licenses, actions against the surgeon, education, and board certifications.
The easiest way to check comprehensive disciplinary records is through DocInfo.org. The database draws from the Federation of State Medical Board’s Physician Data Center and allows you to look up any disciplinary history of doctors in each state. This free resource aggregates data from state medical boards that conduct official investigations, providing more reliable information than patient review sites.
When reviewing a physician’s profile, verify whether any disciplinary actions are listed at the bottom of the page. Doctors can be disciplined for a number of reasons including medical negligence, sexual misconduct, misprescribing medication and criminal convictions outside their medical practice.
Research Malpractice History
While disciplinary actions and malpractice lawsuits are different, both provide valuable insight into a surgeon’s track record. To find out if your doctor has been sued for medical malpractice — different from disciplinary action by a state medical board— you can search civil case filings in your state. In many states, these records are available online.
Malpractice suits are a matter of public record. You can search court documents at your local courthouse or its corresponding website. However, it’s important to remember that a malpractice suit does not automatically indicate that a doctor is incompetent. The details of the case matter, and many suits are settled out of court without a finding of fault.
Examine Hospital Affiliations and Privileges
Some websites can show you the hospital affiliations of your plastic surgeon. Notice that some hospitals do extensive, ongoing background and credentials check of their doctors including cosmetic surgeons. This can assure you that your plastic surgeon is top-notch.
Hospital privileges are particularly important because the hospital grants privileges to practice medicine only in the field you’re board certified in. Ask your surgeon directly: if complications arise requiring hospital admission, do they have privileges at a nearby accredited hospital to continue your care?
Verify Education and Training Requirements
A properly trained plastic surgeon must meet rigorous educational requirements. Surgeons seeking board certification by the ABS must have graduated from an accredited medical school in the U.S. or Canada or be certified by the ECFMG. Following medical school, surgeons must complete at least five years of training in a residency program approved by the ACGME or the RCPSC, and if specializing in a specific surgical area, one to two years of fellowship training.
For plastic surgery specifically, completion of five years of additional training as a resident surgeon in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The residency training must cover all areas of surgery, including at least three years devoted entirely to plastic surgery.
Professional Society Memberships
Look for membership in reputable professional organizations. A physician can also become a member of professional societies, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Their Patient Safety program provides essential information about cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and explains the importance of picking a qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon.
The CS Kim Plastics Example: What to Look For
When researching credentials, consider the example of Dr. Chang Soo Kim, a Plastic Surgeon Fairfield County who demonstrates proper credentialing. He received his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine. The American Board of Plastic Surgery has certified him as a Board Certified plastic surgeon after completing his plastic surgery residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Additionally, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Yale Plastic Surgery Society, and the American Medical Association are some of the professional societies in which Dr. Kim is a member.
This example illustrates what you should look for: graduation from an accredited medical school, completion of a plastic surgery residency at a reputable institution, board certification by the ABPS, and membership in professional societies.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be wary of surgeons who:
- Are not board-certified specifically in plastic surgery by the ABPS
- Cannot provide hospital privileges for their specialty
- Have multiple disciplinary actions or unresolved malpractice cases
- Practice in unlicensed facilities
- Make unrealistic promises or guarantees about results
- Pressure you to make immediate decisions
Additional Verification Steps
Beyond formal credentials, consider these additional verification methods:
Social Media and Online Presence: Cosmetic surgeons use all social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Before meeting your potential plastic surgeon in person, check the social media platforms. You can determine many aspects of the surgeon’s personality and attitudes from social media.
Professional References: Ask for references from other medical professionals or former patients (while respecting privacy laws).
Facility Accreditation: Ensure any surgical facility is properly accredited and licensed for the procedures being performed.
The Bottom Line: Your Safety Is Worth the Research
Verifying your plastic surgeon’s credentials isn’t just about ensuring quality results—it’s about your safety and potentially your life. For these reasons, the buyer must beware. You must seek out a doctor that is board certified within the field in which they are practicing. The time invested in thorough research can prevent devastating complications, poor results, and the need for costly revision surgeries.
Remember, it is essential that you verify your surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery by an accredited board, or you could be putting your health and safety at risk. Do not skip this step. Your health, safety, and satisfaction depend on choosing a qualified, properly credentialed plastic surgeon who prioritizes patient care above all else.
Take the time to verify credentials thoroughly—your future self will thank you for the diligence in protecting your health and achieving the best possible results from your plastic surgery investment.