One of the ongoing controversies in medicine is who should be allowed to call themselves cosmetic surgeons and perform cosmetic surgery procedures such as a facelift.

This controversy has been re-ignited by the consideration of a law in New York that would permit oral and maxillofacial surgeons to perform cosmetic surgery. In many states, including Texas, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are allowed to perform facial cosmetic surgery procedures. Other states, such as California and Florida, at least require that surgeons disclose their actual board certifications in all types of advertising. This at least provides patients with the information they need to make an informed decision about their plastic surgery provider.

The debate centers around who has adequate training to successfully and safely perform plastic surgery procedures. In the words of the president of the California Medical Association, “Plastic surgeons, no matter how you mince it, have had the best training to do plastic surgery.”

Whereas in the past hospitals worked as gatekeepers to regulate what procedures doctors performed, the proliferation of surgical suites has made doctors freer to determine what procedures they would or would not perform. One plastic surgeon says that “you can do anything in your office that you can get a patient to consent to.” In other words, only you can protect yourself from unqualified surgeons.

Remember to ask any potential surgeon about what his board certification is in, and check that certification with the American Board of medical Specialties or the American Dental Association. Remember that most dentists are not allowed to perform any type of facial cosmetic procedure–that is only open to oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Finally, talk to your potential surgeon about his experience performing the procedure and ask to see before and after images of his patients.

Dr. Vasdev Rai is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been helping patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for nearly 30 years. His work and his reputation speak for themselves.

To learn more about finding the right plastic surgeon for your procedure, please contact the Cosmetic Surgical Center today.