How to choose a Facial Plastic Surgeon.
There continues to be a great deal of confusion regarding the education and knowledge of the public on how to choose a qualified Facial Plastic Surgeon. In today's competitive environment, in order to attract patients, there have been claims that there exists only one board that certifies surgeons to perform plastic surgery. This is clearly not the case. Many articles written about Facial Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery are often remiss when they fail to mention that there is more than one fully recognized board that certifies members in plastic surgery within an area of expertise.

For instance, it is a potential patient's right to have the full knowledge that a surgeon performing facial plastic surgery can be board certified by:

• The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• The American Board of Otolaryngology
• The American Board of Plastic Surgery
• The American Board of Ophthalmology
• The American Board of Dermatology

These are all recognized, legitimate boards. They are all either a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or found equivalent to the ABMS boards.

For example, the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (an equivalent board to any ABMS board) certifies surgeons in the specialty area of Facial Plastic Surgery of the Face. The only surgeons who even qualify to take this specialists' board exam are either board certified Diplomats of the American Board of Otolaryngology or the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

The American Board of Otolaryngology (an ABMS board) certifies its members in the field of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (an ABMS board) certifies its members in the fields of Facial and Body Plastic Reconstructive Surgery.Organized medicine, such as the American Medical Association (AMA), recognized the American Board of Otolaryngology, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as legitimate certifying boards to test the qualifications of surgeons to perform surgery in their specific area of expertise.

In choosing a facial plastic surgeon, a consumer should:

• Ask friends and your personal physician--and possibly even your hairdresser--whom they might know that does a good cosmetic plastic surgery of the face.
• Check to make sure that the doctor's area of expertise and corresponding board certification is the area of specific concern to you as a potential patient.
• Make sure the doctor is in good standing with the local medical society and the hospital where he/she has privileges.
• Schedule an appointment for consultation (interview) with the doctor.
• Be sure that the doctor is easy to talk to and is someone with whom you can relate.
• Check out the surgeon's office and staff--be sure you will be treated like you expect and that you feel comfortable there.
• Finally, ask to see examples (before and after photos) of the doctor's work.

Remember: The American Board of Plastic Surgery, The American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, along with some other specialty boards equally certify their competent members to perform Facial Plastic Surgery.