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How to Choose a Surgeon
Board-certified plastic surgeons have comprehensive understanding of the aging process: the ways our skin and bodies change over time, the impact of the environment and lifestyle, and the best ways to enhance and maintain our natural appearance at any age. They work with patients at every stage of life to evaluate their body type and their health, medical, and psychological history, and then offer expert advice based on each patient’s personal beauty goals.
   
 
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The Four Levels of Cosmetic Care

How to Choose a Surgeon

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Your plastic surgeon has the in-depth medical knowledge of the entire human body to accurately map your health and beauty goals throughout your lifetime—explaining your options and managing your expectations as well.

Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon you can trust. Anyone with a medical license can claim to be qualified to perform cosmetic procedures. But members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS Member Surgeons) meet the highest standards of experience, education, and ethics.

Members of these organizations:
  • Are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery® or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada® after passing rigorous written and oral exams
  • Has at least six years of training and experience in surgery, with three years specifically in plastic surgery
  • Annually complete continuing medical education, including patient safety training
  • Perform surgery only in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified surgical facilities
  • Adhere to a strict code of ethics
How to find a plastic surgeon

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Before undertaking any cosmetic procedure, be sure you have satisfactory answers to these important plastic surgery questions.

Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon
  1. Are you an ASPS Member Surgeon or member of ASAPS? (If the answer is "yes," rest assured that your surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery and performs surgery only in accredited facilities.)
  2. Are you board-certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada?
  3. Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
  4. Is the surgical facility accredited by a nationally or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
  5. How many procedures of this type have you performed?