Who is a Cosmetic Surgeon Part II

For the second time I am writing a brief on who is a cosmetic surgeon. I am stimulated to address this issue again by a clearly biased editorial written in the last Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal. From the point of view of training, contributions, and board qualifications of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery: general surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, dermatologic surgeons, oral maxillofacial surgeons, oculoplastic surgeons and general plastic surgeons are all qualified to be cosmetic surgeons. Whether members of these groups choose to practice cosmetic surgery depends on their interests, continuing education, and the amount of practice time they devote to cosmetic surgery. None of these primary fields teach cosmetic surgery in residency. All of them must have post graduate education to gain knowledge and subsequently to gain experience. Despite the protestations of some physicians in any one of these groups none have special expertise in our field and none have made such a contribution that they can dominate the field. The wonderful thing about cosmetic surgery is its codependence on each of the contributing fields to its whole.
That said, a would-be consumer should: interview several surgeons in the field, look at before and after photos, check credentials and training, verify the reputation of the physician from internet searches and from hospital and medical society sources, and speak with a previous patient when it is appropriate. Ultimately, you will live with your cosmetic surgeon for a year after the procedure so if you are not pleased with the person before you have the procedure, summer may look like winter to you.