Deciding to have plastic surgery is a monumental decision in itself, but deciding on a plastic surgeon is just as difficult. There are many factors to consider when searching for a plastic surgeon. Expect to do quite a bit of research when you engage in your search. A simple recommendation from a friend or family doctor or internet search may be a good place to start but it’s not enough to base your entire decision on. More legwork will have to be done once you build up a list of possible surgeons..

You can limit your choices by eliminating any surgeon from your list who is not board certified. Many so called plastic surgeons have had little or no formal training in plastic surgery. Any doctor may be trained in doing some aspects of cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery and may call themselves a plastic surgeon. Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery takes years of training, experience, education, and testing. And make sure if your surgeon claims to be board certified, it’s the American Board of Plastic Surgery, not some other board. Board certification is the first qualification you should look for in a surgeon. » Read more: Your Plastic Surgery Journey – Evaluating Potential Plastic Surgeons