Credentials
Q:
I was wondering what is the difference between a surgeon who is only board-certified versus one who also is a member of ASAPS?
A:
All members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only recognized board that certifies doctors in the specialty of plastic surgery. In addition to board-certification, membership in ASAPS indicates a plastic surgeon’s special interest and experience in cosmetic plastic surgery. Membership is by invitation only, and is based in part upon documentation of a plastic surgeon’s wide experience in cosmetic surgery, as well as documented Continuing Medical Education (CME) in cosmetic surgery. Both these requirements indicate extensive knowledge of current cosmetic surgical techniques. Equally important is the assurance that ASAPS members abide by a strict code of professional conduct, which helps to ensure the highest quality patient care.
Q:
Why would a plastic surgeon be listed on your site but not on the American Board of Medical Specialties site (www.abms.org)?
A:
Each and every Active member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) who practices within the United States is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is one of the 24 certifying boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ASAPS also has a number of Canadian members who are certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Canadian equivalent of ABPS certification. Also listed on our web site are Corresponding members who practice outside the U.S. and Canada, and are subject to the standards for plastic surgery training and certification applicable in their own countries.
The names of ABPS-certified plastic surgeons are automatically forwarded to the ABMS database. Check to be certain that you are entering the physician’s name with the correct spelling, spacing, etc. If you still have a problem, call the ABMS, toll-free, at 1-866-275-2267.
Q:
I thought a Board Certified Reconstructive Surgeon was ‘it’ when it came to credentials. Yet a surgeon I know with these credentials is not on the ASAPS site. What is the distinction?
A:
Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is, indeed, the "gold standard" of training and qualifications to perform all types of plastic surgery, both reconstructive and aesthetic (cosmetic). A surgeon with this credential has undergone a minimum of 5 years of surgical training (following medical school), including an approved plastic surgery residency.
Membership in the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is reserved for those ABPS-certified surgeons who have demonstrated special interest in cosmetic surgery. A plastic surgeon must first be invited to become a member on the basis of his or her reputation among other qualified ASAPS members. Then he or she must provide documentation of major cosmetic surgical cases performed during a 12-month period, meet requirements for continuing education in current cosmetic surgical techniques and abide by a strict code of ethics. These high standards make ASAPS membership a valued and respected privilege for a select group of board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic surgery of the face and body. Only about one-quarter of all board-certified plastic surgeons have met these membership requirements.
Submit a Question
Submit your question below about any cosmetic procedure to be considered for posting with an answer from one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.
Note: ASAPS cannot give advice about specific medical problems nor should answers provided by responding surgeons be substituted for a personal medical/surgical consultation. Sorry we can't answer all questions. We try to select questions that have the widest general interest.