Before we go any further this question needs to be answered. Many people ask, “just what is the difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a board-certified plastic surgeon?” Those who are on the side of the plastic surgeons will say “A lot!”
Of course those on the side of the cosmetic surgeons will totally disagree.
It all gets down to training and credentials and this is the bone of contention between the two.
Board certified means that the doctor has gone through very specific and extensive training in a specialized field and passed a difficult examination by a board of experts in that field.
A non-board-certified cosmetic or plastic surgeon may be self-taught and may lack formal training in cosmetic surgical procedures. Naturally board-certified plastic surgeons consider this an issue of public safety. However, most cosmetic surgeons in Australia have undergone specialized training, but because you never know, you must ask about his/her specific experience, training and credentials.
You may easily find a doctor offering cosmetic, plastic, or aesthetic surgery, and he or she may be a wonderful doctor, but not board certified to perform that surgery. In fact he could be just a general surgeon, however over the years he has gained so much experience to make him/her stand head and shoulders above the rest. It’s also highly unlikely, that a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes in rhinoplasty, will have the “sculptor’s” skills to perfect your buttocks…
It is experience in the individual procedures that ultimately dictates how successful any surgeon is.
One point worth mentioning is that board-certified plastic surgeons will have privileges to perform cosmetic surgery at accredited hospitals or liposuction clinic, for example. Though most cosmetic surgery procedures are carried out in the doctor’s professional office, or specialized clinic, it can be reassuring to know that your surgeon has the level of skill accepted by an accredited hospital.
Remember that it is completely fair to ask any doctor you see for cosmetic surgery whether he or she is board-certified, and which hospitals he or she is affiliated with.
Then, always check to be sure that the hospital is accredited and that the doctor’s certification is current and recognized.
