Like any other surgery, plastic surgery comes with serious health risks. Which is why it is important to find the most qualified plastic surgeon for your procedure. With thousands of plastic surgeons practicing in the US, it can be hard, if not overwhelming, to choose the right one for you. To ensure you receive the best treatment, read on to learn what to look for when choosing the best plastic surgeon New Jersey (or any other state).

1. Is the surgeon board certified?

First and foremost, know that board certification is voluntary. Plastic surgeons can still practice without it. However, most choose to become board certified to receive more training and demonstrate they are trusted medical professionals.

While several board certification organizations claim to provide acceptable training, The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is, by far, the most legitimate since it is one of the 24 recognized medical boards under The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), an organization which oversees physician certification in specialty areas.

In order to become certified from the ABPS, doctors must complete rigorous training and pass a written and oral exam, which covers in-depth plastic surgery procedures. Often considered the most rigorous of the certification organizations, surgeons must continue learning and assessment in order to renew the certification.

How to See if the Surgeon Earned Board Certification from ABPS

Go to the ABPS website and, under the Public Tab, select “Verify Certification.” At the bottom of the page, you will either fill in the surgeon’s last name and first name or, for a list of plastic surgeons who have/had ABPS certification, input the city, state, and zip code.

You can then check the certification status—such as “certified” (indicates the surgeon is ABPS board certified) and “has license action” (indicates there is a state medical board action against surgeon’s medical license).

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

Another indicator that the plastic surgeon is ABPS board certified is if he/she is a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). In order to receive membership, plastic surgeons had to undergo extensive training and adhere to ethical guidelines. Normally, if surgeons are ABPS certified, they are a part of ASPS.

Not All Board Certification Are Created Equal

Other organizations are very similar to the ABPS in name, but that’s it. If the surgeon is not ABPS board certified but board certified from a similar-sounding name, it could be possible he/she did not meet the ABPS requirements but still wants to come across to patients as a trusted provider.

2. Where Are You Getting the Procedure?

Not all countries or states/provinces have the same regulations for plastic surgeons (or other doctors). Because of this, it is important to research the country/state/province regulations in the area you are planning to get the surgery in.

Does the surgeon have a current state medical license?

In the US, all doctors must have a state-specified medical license in order to practice in that state. You can check the physician’s status at the Federal of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website.

(If you do not find the surgeon or find that the surgeon’s license has been suspended or revoked, we recommend that you look for another plastic surgeon.)

3. Does the Surgeon Have Privileges to Perform the Procedure in a Local Hospital?

Hospitals evaluate the surgeon’s training and experience to guarantee he/she is an appropriate provider. Because of this, hospital privileges are harder to have. If a surgeon with a private practice has hospital privileges, this means he/she can perform the procedure not just at an office but a hospital as well.

4. Does the Surgeon Have a Clean Record?

There are roughly 17,000 malpractice suits each year in the US.[1] While, according to the Administration in Medicine, 65% of these claims will be dropped or dismissed, it is still important to check if the surgeon has any malpractice claims filed against him or her. Know that state boards handle this type of disciplinary action, either suspending or revoking the medical license if the situation calls for it.

How to Look Up the Surgeon’s Record

There are several ways to do this, one being to look up the surgeon’s name on your state’s state board website. You can then see if the surgeon has past or present convictions or misdemeanors and/or malpractice suites he or she lost. (Know that the amount of information each state board website provides varies from state to state.)

You can also look up the surgeon on the Administrators in Medicine (AIM) website and via the court records—online or in person at the County Clerk’s Office.[2]

Word of Caution

While a lost malpractice suite, misdemeanor, or conviction is a red flag, look into what the claim was for, as some suits may be for a student loan default.

best plastic surgeon New Jersey

5. Does the Surgeon Listen to Your Concerns?

Just because the surgeon has gone through medical school, residency, and board certification does not give him or her an excuse to not listen to your concerns. At the end of the day, the surgery is about you. No matter how many questions you have or how “silly” they are, the surgeon should actively listen and respond to them in a professional and personable manner. You should feel comfortable and at ease around the surgeon, not wanting to run out of the office as fast as possible.

Why This is Important

As mentioned, plastic surgery still is surgery, which means there are minor to major health risks involved. You need to be able to trust the plastic surgeon New Jersey who is performing the procedure because your life and health are in his or her hands.

6. What Do the Reviews Say?

See what past patients have said about the surgeon’s bedside manner, procedure, and the results on review sites. Was the surgeon approachable? Did the procedure go smoothly? Is the patient satisfied with the results? Make sure to check several reviews and review sites to get a better picture of your surgeon’s services. If you notice a pattern of several negative reviews, treat this as a red flag. On the other hand, if the reviews are positive, this surgeon may be a possibility.

7. How Long has the Surgeon Been in Practice?

Five years? Ten Years? Twenty? In general, the more experience the surgeon has, the better he or she will be. While the cost may be expensive for a plastic surgeon with over 15 -25 years of experience, surgery is not something you want to find the best deal on. Remember, this is your life we are talking about.

8. What Does Your Gut Tell You?

Even if the surgeon is ABPS board certified and has a current state medical license, 15 plus years of experience, positive reviews, clean record, and a good bedside manner, if something feels wrong, go with your gut. This is your surgery; you have to feel comfortable and fully committed when deciding to do the procedure.

Best Plastic Surgeon New Jersey: Final Thoughts

Finding the best plastic surgeon New Jersey (or any other state) takes time, research, and several consultations. It is important that you thoroughly vet your plastic surgeon before choosing him or her. Remember, surgery comes with several health risks. You want to make sure you can trust him or her when you are on the operating table, and that you get the results you deserve. Questions or comments? Leave a comment below!

Summary

  • Finding a qualified plastic surgeon New Jersey (or any other state) takes time
  • Know that board certification is not a requirement but is strongly recommended
  • The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) has the most rigorous and official board certification policies
  • Plastic surgeons must undergo extensive training and pass an oral and written exam in order to become ABPS board certified
  • Check to see if the surgeon is ABPS board certified by going to the ABPS website, and inputting the required information at the “Verify Certification” page
  • Another indicator that the surgeon is ABPS board certified is if he or she is a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
  • The ASPS only gives memberships to plastic surgeons who is board certified and adheres to ethical guidelines
  • Know that some board certification organizations, while sounding similar to the ASPS, are not as official
  • Make sure you know the regulations in the country/state/province you are getting the surgery in, as they can vary
  • If the surgeon is operating in the US, look up his or her state medical license on the Federal of State Medical Boards website
  • See if the surgeon has malpractice suits, conviction or misdemeanors by going to the state board website
  • The surgeon should listen to your concerns and make you feel comfortable; at the end of the day, you are putting your health in his or her hands
  • Look at reviews and review sites to see what thought about his or her services
  • Find out how long the surgeon has been practicing; generally, the longer he or she has had her practice, the more experienced he or she is—which is worth the steeper price
  • Last but not least, go with your gut, even if all of the boxes are checked

For a free consultation, contact Berlet Plastic Surgery, which has one of the best plastic surgeon New Jersey.

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[1] Forbes: Does Your Doctor Have Malpractice Claims? How to Find Out

[2] CNN: 5 Tips for Picking a Good Plastic Surgeon