The world of plastic and cosmetic surgery has blossomed into a multi-billion dollar industry in recent years. The abundance of demand for enhancement and augmentation has also been mirrored by an abundance of supply - the number of plastic surgeons and clinics offering cosmetic or plastic procedures has risen at a stellar rate, one which unfortunately has meant that not all offering the service have the proper credentials to be performing such delicate operations, and many people wanting surgery are unwisely seeking cheaper procedures offshore.

This is why if you have decided that you want cosmetic enhancement, such as breast enlargement or augmentation finding a board certified surgeon is a must.

What is meant by 'board certified'?

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the largest organization specializing in plastic surgery in the world. It was established in order to provide consistently high standards and to regulate the plastic surgery industry. When a surgeon is board certified, it means that they have completed a plastic surgery residency - a minimum of three years on top of their surgical studies which is usually around six years. They will then have to pass the board examination in order for them to be eligible for board certification.

It is important to note that cosmetic and plastic surgery are two different disciplines, so a cosmetic surgeon may be qualified to practice without being certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. If you are looking for a plastic surgeon though, it is essential to go with a certified practitioner because you know that there is a regulatory body behind them with extremely high standards that members must maintain.

Board certified practitioners should not cost any more than other qualified surgeons, as competition will keep prices within a reasonably stable medium. Just be wary of surgeons offering procedures far below the average - you will find that most that do are not certified.

Board certification, while an important first step, should not be the only requirement you look for in a practitioner. Specialization in cosmetic enhancement and augmentation is extremely important when finding a surgeon for breast enlargement or any other procedure, as some plastic surgeons are not specialized in these areas, rather in reconstruction and post-accident surgery such as skin graphing etc. You should approach your search as you would approach finding any other health care professional - after all, you would not go to an stomach specialist for a chest infection.

Finding a certified surgeon in your area

Finding a certified surgeon close to you should not be too hard, in fact the American Board of Plastic Surgery has made it super easy - they have a referral page on their website which allows you to search surgeons by their locale. They also allow you to search surgeons by surname - so if you have found a surgeon but are not sure if they are certified you can check discreetly online.

Finding the right plastic surgeon for your procedure is they key step to finding the new you - so make sure you do your research, and find a board certified plastic surgeon.