With so many Med Spas popping up in and around Beverly Hills, not to mention dentists offering cosmetic options including Botox® injections and liquid facelifts, you may be wondering, “Who exactly is legally allowed to perform cosmetic or plastic surgery in the US?”
To answer this question, we first need to explain the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon and explain how they’re different from other practitioners who are licensed to practice medicine in our country.
The Differences Between Plastic Surgeons And Cosmetic Surgeons
A plastic surgeon is a doctor who is licensed to practice medicine, and has also gone through some rigorous training to earn the title of “plastic surgeon.” This includes:
- Completing a plastic surgery residency
- Becoming accredited as a plastic surgeon by the American Board of Specialities
- Recognized specialties in plastic surgery include: Plastic Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, and Oculoplastic Surgery
- These training programs are much more difficult to be accepted into than other fields such as internal medicine or general surgery
A cosmetic surgeon is different. He or she is a doctor who is licensed to practice medicine in the United States, but only has 1 and sometimes 2 years of experience learning cosmetic surgery. A cosmetic surgeon must also pass an oral and written exam to receive a Board certification.
Technically, Anyone Licensed To Practice Medicine Can Perform Cosmetic Surgery
What many Beverly Hills patients don’t realize is that anyone licensed to practice medicine in the US – meaning any doctor – can also perform cosmetic surgery, even if he or she has no formal training in the procedures offered to patients.
The Dangers Of Working With An Untrained Surgeon
Through his 15 years of experience performing facial plastic surgery in Beverly Hills, Dr. Nima has seen his fair share of patients looking for revisions after botched procedures that were initially performed by doctors who have no professional training with cosmetic or plastic surgery. While he’s happy to help, Dr. Nima also feels it’s his responsibility to educate the local community on how to find a cosmetic or plastic surgeon who is board-certified before you choose your aesthetic procedure.
Is Your Surgeon A Board-Certified Cosmetic Or Plastic Surgeon?
To find out if the surgeon you’re meeting with is board-certified, you need to look up the state Boards where you live to see if he or she is certified and if his or her certifications are current.
Be Wary Of New Med Spas Or Dental Offices Offering Cosmetic Treatments
While some local meds spas or dental offices offering cosmetic procedures do in fact have board-certified practitioners on staff performing procedures, others don’t. The best way you can make sure you’re going to be operated on by a surgeon who is trained in cosmetic or plastic surgery is to ask about the surgeon’s board certifications, and then verify them yourself by looking them up on the Internet on your state’s medical Board website.
Dr. Nima Is A Beverly Hills Trained And Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Whether you’re looking for a facelift, blepharoplasty, a nose job, or another facial procedure, Dr. Nima is a double board-certified facial, head and neck plastic surgeon. He has 15 years of experience in practice, and has performed over 5,000 facial plastic surgery procedures.
If you’re desiring another plastic surgery, such as a tummy tuck or a breast augmentation, Dr. Nima knows several local, board-certified plastic surgeons who he trusts to provide you with excellent care that he can recommend.
If you have additional questions about who can perform cosmetic or plastic surgery, or how to find out if your surgeon is board- certified, contact EOS Rejuvenation today at (310) 971-9286.
