How do I Make Sure My Surgeon Really is a Plastic Surgeon?

It's not always as straight forward as it should be, as believe it or not, practioners have been known to lie or mislead about their qualifications, so unfortunately you can't always rely on what they say, or even what they publish about themselves!

If you want to be sure that your doctor really is a genuine, formally trained and accredited plastic surgeon, call the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) to verify his or her membership.

What about doctors who are members of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery (ACCS)?

Members of the ACCS are not usually  plastic surgeons, however they may be formally trained surgeons of other kinds eg. ENT's and general surgeons or they may be dermatologists or GP's, however any training provided to them at this college will not be recognised training, as the college itself ,currently lacks any accreditation with the Australian Medical Council (AMC) which is the only body nationally that can certify medical training on behalf of the Australian Commonwealth.

Its highly controversial but legal for non plastic surgeons to perform cosmetic surgery, and to describe themselves as cosmetic surgeons, and you need to be aware that some unscrupulous cosmetic surgeons will try to equate themselves with plastic surgeons and may use the terms cosmetic surgeon and plastic surgeon interchangeably.

If you want a plastic surgeon, not a cosmetic surgeon, do your homework properly and give the doctor or doctors you are interested in, a thorough 'consumer check-up'.

If a doctor says or implies that he's a plastic surgeon, don't just take his word for it, check it out!

Your right to choose, and your hard earned money and your body are on the line, so take it seriously!

Source: Deidre Nolan http://www.blognow.com.au/thedeidrenolanreports/