The title “Facial Plastic Surgeon” describes a surgeon who specializes in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Two primary boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery(ABOTO) and the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), are recognized by the ABMS as providing certification of training in Facial Plastic Surgery.
Click here to visit the ABMS website.
When a diplomate of either of these primary boards achieves additional board certification by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery (ABFPRS), this represents additional verification of experience and a rigorous two-day examination. For select surgeons, this includes a privileged one year Fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery. Click here to see the requirements for certification.
The American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery is the ONLY board dedicated to Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The ABOTO and ABPS offer sub-certification in facial plastic surgery.
The American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery was founded in 1986 to fulfill the need for certification of physicians specializing in the growing and complex field of Facial Plastic Surgery. The American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery is recognized as equivalent to the member boards of the ABMS by the state of California, and every state that has standards for such equivalency. Furthermore, in order to be certified by the the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery, a surgeon must be previously certified by either the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
When you choose a board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon such as Dr. David, you are choosing double-board certified surgeon who is highly specialized and focuses his practice on the complex field of Facial Plastic Surgery. You are choosing a specialist in Facial Plastic Surgery.
Note: The above represents fact, not subjective opinion. Sadly, there exists a “turf battle” between general plastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons. In some cases the former, who are not ABFPRS certified, imply to patients that only the ABPS certifies doctors in Facial Plastic Surgery, hinting that they are the “real” plastic surgeons. We feel this is inappropriate and not in the interest of cosmetic surgery patients, who like any other patients, seek out specialists to address their concerns.
Choosing a Facial Plastic Surgeon
In choosing or evaluating a Facial Plastic Surgeon patients should focus on four key points: certification, training, experience, and skill. Certification and training may be thought of as ”prerequisites.” Experience and skill set surgeons apart.
1. Certification : Board Certification means the physician has met at least minimal requirements of residency training, experience as a practicing surgeon, and a passing grade on oral and written examinations. The American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery is the only board dedicated to Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Plastic Surgery offer sub-certification in this field.
2. Training: The surgeon should have graduated from an accredited residency program in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, or general Plastic Surgery. A Fellowship program represents an even higher level of training completed after residency which focuses on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Note: oculoplastic surgeons complete residency training in Ophthalmology and a fellowship in oculoplastic surgery, qualifying them to perform cosmetic surgical procedures on the eyes and adjacent regions.
3. Experience: How many procedures of the type you are interested in does your surgeon perform per week? per month? per year?
4. Skill: Examine before and after photos to assess the quality of outcome other patients have received, and you may hope to receive from this surgeon. If possible, speak to friends or obtain testimonials from other patients who have been treated by your surgeon.
