With recent news reports featuring people undergoing cosmetic surgery by non-certified physicians, respected plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Bogdan explains why board certification matters.
Why is board certification important? Certification in a surgeon’s field of specialization reflects the doctor’s years of experience and the training necessary to perform complex surgical procedures, especially facelift surgery. In this post, we review why checking a surgeon’s certification can lead you to some of the best facelift surgeons.
Certification Is Based on Training, Competency & Education
We’ve all seen pictures of celebrities who have had facelifts that have “gone wrong.” With recent news reports about physicians who are not board certified performing intricate plastic surgery procedures like facelift surgery, Dr. Bogdan stresses the importance of choosing a surgeon who has the necessary experience and credentials to perform the procedure.
“Board certification demonstrates several things,” explains Dr. Bogdan. “First, it shows that the physician has completed the necessary steps in his or her education by attending accredited schools and possessing the proper degree. Also, being certified shows that the physician has passed an examination to assess competency in his or her medical specialty. While each medical board has different criteria for earning board certification, the overall goal is to ensure that the surgeon is well trained and capable of performing specific types of surgeries.”
Talk to Your Facelift Surgeon About Their Qualifications
Your plastic surgeon should be willing to talk with you about their qualifications, from where and how they trained in plastic surgery to how often they perform the procedure you’re considering. When consulting with women and men interested in a surgery such as a facelift, Dr. Bogdan puts to rest patients’ worries and concerns regarding his qualifications. With his medical degree and his residency in general surgery and plastic surgery from Stanford University, a fellowship in aesthetic surgery from New York University, and certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Bogdan has the background and knowledge it takes to achieve optimal surgical results.
Dr. Bogdan states, “Perfecting certain facial surgical procedures, such as rhinoplasty, can sometimes take years. Even with the necessary education, proper training is needed to produce quality results.
“Choosing a board-certified surgeon helps patients feel confident about their decision to pursue cosmetic surgery. They can feel assured that their surgeon is an expert in the field.”
Verifying Your Plastic Surgeon’s Credentials
There are several ways you can ensure a surgeon is certified by a medical board. Patients can visit the American Board of Medical Specialties’ Certification Matters website and search for a particular physician. If the doctor is not listed on that site, they can refer to a specific medical board website (such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery) and search for the doctor within that specialty.
“It is important to understand that licensed and board certified are not the same thing,” Dr. Bogdan states. “When you choose a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to perform your cosmetic procedure, you are ensuring that you have a high-quality physician advising and helping you.
“I strive to make sure that my patients are educated about this issue and that they understand the importance of doing their research and finding a board-certified plastic surgeon. By doing this, they are increasing their chances of having a positive surgical experience.”
To learn more about finding the best plastic surgeon for you, read our helpful tips in a related blog post.
Getting Started
If you would like to find out more about plastic surgery, click here to request your consultation with Dr. Michael Bogdan, a board-certified plastic surgeon. Or, you can call us at (817) 442-1236 to schedule your appointment.