Choosing a plastic surgeon is an important decision. If you’re searching for a board-certified plastic surgeon in Fort Wayne, understanding your surgeon’s qualifications is an essential first step.
Not everyone who performs cosmetic procedures has the same medical education, surgical training, or board certification. Even the title “Doctor” or the phrase “board certified” may not tell you everything you need to know.
The most important questions are simple: Is your surgeon a licensed medical physician? What specialty training have they completed? And which organization granted their board certification?
This guide explains what to look for, why certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery matters, and how to verify a surgeon’s credentials before making your decision.
What Does Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Mean?
A board-certified plastic surgeon is a physician who has completed specialized training in plastic surgery and met the certification requirements of a recognized specialty board.
In the United States, the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the plastic surgery certifying board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The ABMS includes 24 member boards representing 38 medical specialties and 90 subspecialties. These boards establish rigorous specialty certification standards for medical physicians holding an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree, distinguishing physician specialty certification from credentials awarded to other healthcare professionals, such as dentists (DDS or DMD) and nurse practitioners (NPs).
Certification by the ABPS requires extensive surgical education, accredited specialty training, and successful completion of rigorous written and oral examinations. This training encompasses both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery.
However, the phrase “board certified” does not always mean that a practitioner is certified in plastic surgery. A physician may hold certification in another medical specialty, while other organizations may offer credentials with different requirements.
That’s why patients should always ask two questions: Which board certified my surgeon, and in what specialty?
You can verify a surgeon’s certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
How Much Training Does a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Complete?
Becoming a board-certified plastic surgeon requires many years of education and supervised surgical training.
In the United States, physicians typically complete four years of undergraduate education followed by four years of medical school to earn an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree.
After medical school, plastic surgeons follow one of two established training pathways:
- Integrated pathway: Six years of residency training that combines general surgical education with specialized plastic and reconstructive surgery training.
- Independent pathway: Typically five years of general surgery residency, or another approved surgical training pathway, followed by three additional years of specialized plastic surgery residency.
This means plastic surgeons generally complete at least 14 years of education and training after high school before becoming eligible for specialty board certification.
Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery also requires passing rigorous written and oral examinations.
This extensive preparation provides a foundation in surgical anatomy, patient safety, wound healing, reconstructive techniques, and aesthetic surgery. It is one of the important distinctions patients should understand when evaluating a surgeon’s qualifications.
Can a Dentist, Oral Surgein or Other Healthcare Professional Call Themselves a Plastic Surgeon?
The title “Doctor” does not necessarily mean someone is a medical physician. Dentists may hold a DDS or DMD degree, while nurse practitioners may hold advanced nursing degrees, including a doctorate. These credentials represent different educational and professional training pathways.
Medical physicians hold an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. However, even an MD or DO degree alone does not establish that a physician has completed specialized training in plastic surgery.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons generally begin their professional education in dentistry and complete additional specialized surgical training. Their specialty addresses conditions involving the mouth, jaws, face, and associated structures. Some also earn medical degrees. Although their training may include facial reconstruction and certain cosmetic procedures, oral and maxillofacial surgery is a distinct specialty from plastic surgery, with different training and certification pathways.
Other healthcare professionals may also provide cosmetic treatments within their qualifications and legally authorized scope of practice. However, permission to perform a procedure does not necessarily mean that a practitioner has completed an accredited plastic surgery residency or holds certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Professional titles, advertising requirements, and permitted procedures vary by state. Patients should verify a practitioner’s professional degree, surgical training, license, and specific board certification rather than relying on the title “Doctor” or “cosmetic surgeon” or “training second to none”.
When considering plastic surgery, ask whether your surgeon is an MD or DO and whether they are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Are All Cosmetic Surgery Board Certifications Equivalent?
No. The phrase “board certified” can refer to different specialties and organizations with different educational, training, and examination requirements. Some times it’s used in marketing with no real credential behind the claim.
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the plastic surgery specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Its certification requirements include accredited plastic surgery training and comprehensive examinations.
Other organizations offer certification in cosmetic surgery, but they may have different training pathways and requirements. Certification from another organization should not be confused with certification by the ABPS.
Patients should ask which board issued a surgeon’s certification, what specialty it covers, and whether that board is recognized by the ABMS.
You can learn more about recognized medical specialty boards through the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Is Certification by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery the Same as Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
No. Although their names sound similar, the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) are separate organizations with different training and certification pathways.
The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the plastic surgery specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ABPS certification requires completion of an accredited plastic surgery residency, including extensive training in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, followed by comprehensive written and oral examinations.
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is not an ABMS-recognized specialty board. Its certification is available to qualified physicians who have completed residency training in several eligible surgical specialties, followed by additional cosmetic surgery training and examinations. These physicians may have backgrounds in general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, otolaryngology, or other surgical specialties rather than plastic surgery.
ABCS certification involves meaningful additional training and examination. However, it does not necessarily indicate that the surgeon completed an accredited plastic surgery residency.
This is why the distinction matters. A physician advertising themselves as a “board-certified cosmetic surgeon” is not necessarily a “board-certified plastic surgeon.”
Before choosing a surgeon, ask:
- Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
- Did you complete an accredited plastic surgery residency?
- What training and experience do you have in the specific procedure I am considering?
Patients can verify plastic surgery certification directly through the American Board of Plastic Surgery and learn more about recognized specialty boards through the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Understanding these differences helps patients make informed decisions about their surgical care.
How Can I Verify a Plastic Surgeon’s Board Certification?
Patients should never have to rely solely on advertising or a surgeon’s website to determine their qualifications. Board certification can be independently verified.
The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) maintains an online verification service that allows patients to check whether a physician holds certification in plastic surgery.
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) also provides a public resource for verifying physician specialty certification.
To verify a surgeon’s credentials:
- Ask for the surgeon’s full name and the exact name of the certifying board.
- Check the surgeon’s certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- Visit ABMS Certification Matters to learn about recognized medical specialty certification.
- Verify the physician’s medical license through the appropriate state medical licensing board.
A surgeon’s experience, judgment, patient outcomes, and communication are also important considerations. However, verifying training and board certification is an essential first step toward making an informed decision.
Choosing a Plastic Surgeon in Fort Wayne, Indiana
If you’re looking for a board-certified plastic surgeon in Fort Wayne, verifying credentials directly with the certifying board is an important step.
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon in Fort Wayne involves more than comparing photographs, prices, or advertisements.
Dr. Robert Severinac is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has practiced plastic surgery in Fort Wayne for more than 30 years. He established Indiana Plastic Surgery Center in 1998. His practice emphasizes individualized treatment, careful surgical planning, and personal attention throughout the patient experience.
Patients are encouraged to independently verify their plastic surgeons or Dr. Severinac’s board certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery by entering his name in the official directory.
Whether you are considering facial rejuvenation, mommy makeover, breast surgery, or another cosmetic procedure, we encourage you to ask questions, understand your options, and choose a surgeon whose qualifications and approach give you confidence.
To learn more about our practice or arrange a personal consultation, visit Indiana Plastic Surgery Center.