How to Tell if Your Plano Cosmetic Surgeon is a True Plastic Surgeon

There are scores of Plano cosmetic surgeons performing a liposuction, face lifts, tummy tucks or other aesthetic surgeries – but how do you know your doctor is a true plastic surgeon? Patients already understand the importance of visiting a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. But which board certification your doctor holds matters even more. Before moving forward with permanent changes to your body, ask your doctor this: “Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?”

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only true plastic surgery board because it’s the only board related to cosmetic surgery that’s recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The ABMS is a not-for-profit organization that sets the high standards that board-certified physicians must meet in 24 different specialties, making it the “gold standard” in physician certification.

Doctors certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery must:

• Complete over decade of medical training, including:
  • Graduation from an accredited medical school
  • Five years or more as a resident surgeon
  • A two year (or longer) residency devoted solely to plastic surgery
• Pass rigorous testing and evaluation, including:
  • A comprehensive written examination covering all facets of plastic surgery
  • Submission of surgeries performed in the past nine months for the board to scrutinize and review.
  • A three-day oral examination

Doctors who fulfill these requirements are proven plastic surgery specialists who have been trained and tested at the highest levels. Plus, in order to maintain certification form the American Board of Plastic Surgery, each plastic surgeon must re-test every ten years. That’s how you know your doctor has the most current training and the most finely honed skills and techniques.

Meanwhile, there are numerous boards and societies designed to sound like the American Board of Plastic Surgery – yet none of these are approved by the ABMS and none of them require doctors to complete a plastic surgery residency program. Doctors for these unaffiliated boards often gain certification after completing a few weekend courses or by online training. Most of these quickly certified cosmetic surgeons are actually doctors who trained in unrelated specialties such as radiology or internal medicine and gravitated towards cosmetic surgery because of decreased insurance reimbursements in their specialty. Because of this, it’s highly possible that a cosmetic surgeon without certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery has little training or experience in performing a liposuction, face lift or tummy tuck.

A doctor’s certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery tells an important story. For Dr. Robert Schwartz, it signifies his long track record for excellence and dedication in cosmetic surgery. It began after he graduated from Yale University and UCLA School of Medicine and continued through his full general surgery residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles where he became chief resident. Afterward, he completed his plastic surgery residency at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas – regarded widely as the best program in the nation. When it comes to making permanent changes to your body, Dr. Schwartz’s board-certification as a plastic surgeon and impeccable training identify him as a true cosmetic surgery specialist that you can trust.

Contact Dr. Schwartz at (888)-800-8300 to schedule a consultation with a true certified plastic surgeon.