Trust your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is increasingly becoming a part of mainstream American society. More and more of us are considering cosmetic surgery to improve our looks as well as our self-esteem.

With the vast numbers of surgeons in practice today, it is important for you to make informed decisions when considering an elective procedure such as cosmetic surgery. One of the most confusing issues today is that of board certification. It is important for you to recognize and seek out a surgeon who is board certified in the correct field of expertise. If you are considering a cosmetic procedure of the face and neck, that area of expertise is facial plastic surgery.

There are a number of boards that certify surgeons performing facial plastic surgery, which are either member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or have been deemed equivalent to the boards of the ABMS. These boards include the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology (covering the specialty of head and neck surgery). What you should know is that most of these board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Other specialties also address various aspects of plastic surgery; those include dermatology, ophthalmology, and general plastic surgery.

Electing to undergo cosmetic surgery is a highly personal decision and you should take the time to find the right surgeon. The following are tips to assist you in the making informed decisions for your specific needs:

Ask around. When seeking a surgeon, word-of-mouth referrals are a good place to begin your search. Consult with friends who have undergone a procedure, ask your family physician or a trusted physician or inquire at your local salon as to which doctors in the area have good reputations for performing facial plastic surgery.

Do your homework. Check to make sure that the surgeon's area of expertise and corresponding board certification is in facial plastic surgery. The AAFPRS has a website, www.aafprs.org, where you can locate a facial plastic surgeon in your geographic area.

Be informed. You can obtain complimentary background materials on specific procedures by visiting www.aafprs.org. Studying these materials before you contact a surgeon will make you better informed and help you develop a list of questions you can ask to prospective surgeons.

*Content provided by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc.