Knowing more about the Organizations & Associations of Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery
Before, the reconstructive and cosmetic surgery has been used by the surgeons as a procedure to repair any injuries caused by the war. However, through decades, this has been an elective surgery among well off people who can afford to modify their physical appearance and make it look good and young. These surgeries are gaining popularity these days considering the technological advancements and the number of people who are conscious on their looks.
Due to an increase number of people who are interested in undergoing cosmetic surgeries, there have also been a great number of surgeons that are emerging and these surgeons can either be with or without the right training and license. Thus, it is very important to have a background of the surgeon before deciding to undergo any invasive procedures. This will take you away from malpractices and this will give you an assurance that the cosmetic surgery is done correctly and safely.
Plastic surgeons gain as many credentials as they can. This will make them a reliable and an excellent surgeon. Aside from that, they are usually recognized by a medical community especially when the surgeon has matched their criteria and expertise. This recognition is a great honour in the medical field and every person should look over this recognitions. Not every surgeon will be granted with any recognition particularly if they did not pass their set standards. Thus, a surgeon who is recognized by a certain community is a great cosmetic professional.
The Board Certification
Basically, board certification is only given to a surgeon who has the necessary education as well as experience in his/her particular field. This is given by a certain authority wherein they will certify the surgeon to exercise medicine based on his/her chosen expertise. In order to become a board certified surgeon, a person should go through a written and practical examination wherein their knowledge along with their skills will be tested based on the medicine field they are specializing. The American Board of Plastic Surgery is considered to be responsible in giving a surgeon his/her board certificate.
The Board Certified Surgeon
Undergoing a cosmetic procedure to a board certified surgeon will assure you that the surgery will be done by a person who is highly qualified to practice it. A board certified surgeon means that he/she is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to do the surgery without creating any complications and malpractices.
Knowing if a Surgeon is a Board Certified
If you want to make sure that your surgeon is board certified or not, simply check whether he/she has a recognition given by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. They are the only authority to give this. If you cannot find time to ask him, visit the ABPS’ website and search whether your surgeon has this credential.
The ABPS requires every surgeons having their board certificate to take a written and practical exams every ten years in order to restore their particular certification.
Benefits in Making Use of A Board Certified Surgeon
Patients are certain that their preferred surgery will be done only by a highly qualified person who has gone through extensive education as well as training on his/her field.
Risks Associated when not Making Use of A Board Certified Surgeon
When you let a surgeon who is not a board certified do the surgery, you will not be assured if the result on the surgery is satisfactory similar to what board certified surgeons provide. This will put you in a difficulty because the damage might be extensive and irreversible. Hence, have a cosmetic surgery done to a board certified surgeon only and not to anyone else.
Implication of Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to any Medical Financing and Insurance Policy
Not all insurance companies cover the expenses incurred by a cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. In most instances, only the board certified surgeon or any specialist on it is covered by any medical financing policies.
Requirements Set by The ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgeons)
In order to be a board certified surgeon, applicants must be a graduate of a medical school that has been accredited by authorities. He/she should pass any comprehensive oral and written examinations set by the organization and have completed at least 2 years of experience in plastic surgery training for residency or at least 3 years of general surgery residency training or have completed full residency on such aspect. General surgery or full residency involves training on fields like Neurological Surgery, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Otolaryngology, Orthopaedic and Urology Surgeries. These are considered as pre-requisite for the training programs.
American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
This is a kind of organization that is dedicated in promoting safe as well as ethical plastic surgery. The necessary requirements in order to have ABPS certification are definitely stringent; therefore patients are assured that the ABPS members have the qualified standards.
Difference of an Organization and Association
A cosmetic surgeon can be involved in an association or organization. These two are different and people are often confused with this. Basically, an organization is a body of authority that gives their qualified members a certificate that will verify that they have passed the standards set by the organization. These members are reliable as well as trustworthy surgeons once they have the board certificate already. On the other hand, an association is a networking of organizations that provides benefits on the members who join. Becoming a member will usually require a person to pay a certain amount. However, an association or organization works together in providing a continuing education as well as training to any surgeons. They will also be responsible in providing the most reliable information to any patients.
Board Certifying Associations
The following associations will require a person to be a board certified ABPS before becoming an eligible member.
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
This is considered as a prestigious plastic surgeon association. This kind of association strongly supports the patient’s rights to have a background on the credentials earned by the particular surgeon and aside from that; they impose strict guidelines for any surgeon who wants to be a part of their association. Actually, only a quarter of all the applicants will be accepted to be an eligible member.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
This is the number organization when it comes to patient information. This organization publishes literature and disseminates vital information through their own website in order for the people who want to undergo plastic surgery will be educated on the different cosmetic surgery procedures.
Take note that there are only two organizations that will make a plastic surgeon a board certified professional – American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) as well as American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
Other Associations & Organizations for Cosmetic & Plastic Surgeons
As mentioned above, association is a networking of organizations that provides benefits to their members who join and usually requires a fee. On the other hand, the organization gives a certification to their qualified members who have met their standards. Surgeons who passed with the standards will be considered reliable.
The following groups are associated with the plastic cosmetic surgery however they will not require any applicant (surgeon) to have a board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Actually, the ABPS is a recognized authority on the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Note: a number of board certifications exist these days and these involve plastic surgery, however, these are not highly recognized boards because of their lacking completed residency when it comes to plastic surgery.
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS)
This is one of the best organizations of plastic surgeons in which they provide every patient a full security that the particular surgeon is primarily supported by a certifying organization intended for the cosmetic surgeons.
American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (AAFRPS)
This is regarded as the largest association all over the world. Members should have a broad experience as well as training particularly in facial surgeries. The primary focus of this organization is the well being of the patient. A surgeon who specializes in facial or reconstructive surgery should be involved with this kind of organization.
American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)
This is an association that provides a continuing education as well as training on their members for them to efficiently serve all the patients.
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS)
This is a certified organization pertaining to reconstructive as well as plastic surgeons for facial surgery. The goal of this organization is to ensure that the surgical procedure done to the patients comes with the greatest quality as possible. Surgeons who wished to become one of the members of AARFPS should have ABFPRS certification beforehand.
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
This is an association for a number of specialized organizations. The main priority of the association would be to educate the patients through the information provided from their website in relation to certification of the surgeon.
American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS)
This is way different from AAOMS because this is the organization for surgeons who want to practice an oral as well as maxillofacial surgery. Certification can be obtained once they became a member of this organization.
American Dental Association (ADA)
This is a primary organization for dental professionals. This does not only give continuing education for any dental professionals but this has also been the governing authority with regards to several dental organizations. This also includes cosmetic surgeries pertaining to the dental aspect.
American Medical Association (AMA)
This is one of the best associations when it comes to medical professionals. Their focus would be to make and implement the educational standards, ethical codes and requirements for education to enhance the total well being of the public in general.
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)
This is the association that sets the standards with regards to cosmetic surgery on eyes and apart from that, this also provides continuing education to ophthalmic surgeons.
American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS)
This is the association that promotes patient safety. Each member of this association should be a holder of board certification for dermatology.
Impact of Associations and Organizations to Surgeons
Although some groups have similar requirements, they also have their differences. Each group sets a criteria and a surgeon should pass these criteria in order to become an eligible member of the association or organization. The AMA is often considered to be a widely accepted group for medical professionals located in the USA. In fact, most doctors in this country are AMA members. Being a member on one group or more will enable the surgeon to gather more important information about the new procedures as well as the latest policies regarding this field. This also gives them several opportunities for networking and including the surgeons as members in a particular field. Thus, this makes it simpler for any patients to locate them.
Impact of Associations and Organizations to Patients
The authorized groups will allow the patients to know whether the particular surgeon they will be choosing for the cosmetic surgery is actually certified or even trustworthy. The very first credential that a patient ought to research on his/her surgeon would be the AMA, because this is a widely accepted group for the medical practitioners within United States. However, patients must see a lot more groups on their surgeon. Although not all the surgeons are interested in registering to greater than one and even two organization or association, the greater the number of groups the particular surgeon has, the better it will be for the patient.
The decision in undergoing any kinds of cosmetic surgery is very important, thus it is definitely essential to select a surgeon that has the most reliable and proper credentials. Go through with any associations or organizations for plastic surgery in order to know if the particular surgeon you chose is certified or not.
Scheduling Free Consultation to A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Should you have a number of questions regarding the certifications and cosmetic surgeries, have a consultation to a board certified plastic surgeon. This will be a lot of help especially in knowing his/her credentials and the procedure itself.