What is your opinion on using a board certified surgeon in facial and reconstructive surgery for a facelift?

Dr. Dean Kane Q & A.

Q.  What is your opinion on using a board certified surgeon in facial and reconstructive surgery for a facelift? I have been trying to research information on facelifts. It appears that it would be a good rule of thumb to consult with a board certified surgeon in facial and reconstructive facial surgery, for a facelift. What are your opinions on this, am I correct in this assumption?

A.  ​​​Great question! First I will offer you the party line and then my personal 2 cents.

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Party Line:
​Many health care providers are now performing plastic surgery procedures, but that doesn’t mean they’re all qualified to perform plastic surgery. ASPS Member Surgeons are trained in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of all types.

Plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and most important choice is selecting an ASPS Member Surgeon you can trust. ASPS Member Surgeons meet rigorous standards:

• Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery® (ABPS) or in Canada by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®
• Complete at least six years of surgical training following medical school with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency training
• Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
• Graduate from an accredited medical school
• Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety each year
• Perform surgery in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified surgical facilities
• Adheres to a strict Code of Ethic

Do not be confused by other official sounding boards and certifications. The ABPS is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which has approved medical specialty boards since 1934. There is no ABMS recognized certifying board with "cosmetic surgery" in its name.

By choosing a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can be assured that you are choosing a qualified, highly trained plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the ABPS or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

To make sure your surgeon has these outstanding qualifications, look for the ASPS Member Surgeon Symbol of Excellence or link / contact the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery to locate a highly trained plastic surgeon in your area. 

My 2 cents worth:

There are talented Board Certified Plastic Surgeons and not so talented ones in facelifting or any other sub-specialty.

​There are talented Board Certified Surgeons in other fields such as ENT Facial Surgery and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the FaceLifting sub-specialty.

Explore diligently and search for the best most experienced surgeon you can trust. 

Face lift and / or neck lift or any of the other procedures and their combinations should be discussed following a proper examination by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs all of these options so you will not receive a biased approach because he or she is limited in their skills.

​I wish you the very best!

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