The debate over which doctors are best qualified to perform cosmetic surgery — and who gets the best results for patients — has raged for decades.
Here’s why: A state-issued medical license grants a physician what a Federation of State Medical Boards policy statement called the “privilege of practicing the full breadth of medicine.”
That policy leaves the door open for any licensed doctor to perform cosmetic surgery after scant training, such as a weekend course in liposuction, and some doctors have done just that.
The federation adds that doctors “have a professional and ethical duty to put their patients’ best interests before their own and only offer treatments to patients that they are able to provide competently.”
But what credentials surgeons should hold and be permitted to advertise — the use of the term “board-certified,” in particular — remains contentious. And, for patients, figuring out which of those credentials and marketing claims to trust, and how to steer clear of doctors with troubled pasts, can be a challenge.
Here are tips for picking a cosmetic surgeon:
Do a background check.
The Federation of State Medical Boards operates an online site with information about a doctor’s practice history, including disciplinary actions. The federation also lists contacts for each state medical board. Many states compile profiles of doctors with details about their training and practice history. Some include medical malpractice payments to patients who filed suit.
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Understand board certification.
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