Any doctor can call himself a cosmetic surgeon. No special training in cosmetic surgery is required for a physician to start taking cosmetic surgery patients. In fact, the doctor may even call him or herself a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. But be aware, the doctor’s board certification may be in gynecology, family medicine, nuclear medicine, immunology, or any of 145 specialties and sub-specialties recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Board certification in plastic surgery is your guarantee that your cosmetic surgeon has the right training and experience to perform plastic surgery, and has proved through rigorous education and testing that he or she has the knowledge to perform it safely and correctly.
Before a doctor can be eligible to take the exam for board certification, he or she must have the proper training. After medical school doctors must complete on-the-job training, working under the supervision of a licensed physician before they themselves become licensed to practice medicine on their own. This phase of training is called a residency.
In order to take the exam for board certification, plastic surgeons must have completed a residency of three years or more in general surgery plus two to three years of plastic surgery residency.
Once a plastic surgeon becomes board certified, he still has to keep learning and stay up-to-date to keep his certification. Plastic surgeons may choose to complete additional fellowships to learn more about their areas of specialty.
When you are choosing a cosmetic surgeon, board certification should be at the top of your list of requirements. With a little research you can find out if your prospective surgeon is board certified. Those who are will usually advertise the fact, and with which board or boards they are certified. It is up to you to double check make sure it is an honest claim. This is something you should do before you go in for your initial consultation.
Dr. Nick Slenkovich is certified with both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology.
If you are looking for a board certified plastic surgeon in Colorado, please contact Board-certified Denver cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Nick Slenkovich at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule your consultation.
