Ask Dr. Man- Board-certified plastic surgeon

Dear Dr. Man, In your column, you mention that people should visit a board-certified plastic surgeon. How do you find one? How do you know if they’re board certified? Are there any other criteria I should look at when selecting a plastic surgeon? I want to get quite a bit of work done and obviously I want someone who is qualified. I live in Massachusetts most of the year and want to have the work done there. Thank you.

When you decide to have cosmetic surgery, the first and most important step you can take is to find a doctor that is right for you, one that can help you reach your goals. You are correct- I always remind people to visit a board-certified plastic surgeon, to ensure that they are accredited and qualified. Board certified plastic surgeons are full-time plastic surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and who have the surgical skills and judgment to perform a wide range of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures on the total body. You can look on their website to find a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Once you have a list of board-certified plastic surgeons in your area, you can narrow down your search by asking friends, family members and colleagues you respect. Another good source is your family doctor or another medical professional. In my opinion, the phone book and advertisements are not the best resources for information. Exercise caution if you choose to use the Internet; and make sure any information you get is from a credible source. Be wary of web sites that provide referral services, which are often paid for by the doctor. Better Internet sources are those of professional organizations, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Once you have a list of doctors you’ve compiled from your research, I suggest calling a few offices and getting answers to the following important questions before deciding on a surgeon:

· Is the surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as discussed above?

· Is the surgeon a member in good standing of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Inc. and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)? These organizations also represent board-certified plastic surgeons in the U.S. They can be a good resource for providing a list of board-certified plastic surgeons in your area. For more information about the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, call 888-4-plastic or visit www.plasticsurgery.org; and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, call 215-587-9322 or visit www.surgery.org).

· Is the surgical facility fully equipped and accredited to perform outpatient surgery? Does the surgeon have privileges to perform these same procedures in the hospital? Accrediting organizations that can provide you with more information are: the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (888-545-5222 or www.aaasf.org); the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (630-792-5800 or www. jaaacaho.org); and the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (847-853-6060 or www.aaahc.org).

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Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. He has a successful private practice in Boca Raton, FL. For more information about Dr. Man, visit www.drman.com.