Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Los Angeles
Choosing a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in LA
What is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?
Plastic Surgeon Certification Explained
When considering plastic surgery, finding the right surgeon is the most critical decision. There are literally hundreds of LA plastic surgeons, but not all of them are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is the only plastic surgery certification recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). There is a high percentage of physicians who claim to be board certified, but their actual certification my be in another specialty such as general surgery, OB-GYN, or family practice.
The qualifications to become board certified in plastic surgery include:
- Ensures the surgeon has completed not only medical school, but an accredited residency program in plastic surgery
- Pass written board certification exams
- Pass oral board certification exams
Obviously, a physician that has not completed a plastic surgery residency training will not be able to apply for board certification with the ABPS. To skirt around this, these cosmetic cowboys have created their own boards in effort to legitimize their claims to be qualified to perform cosmetic procedures. The names of these rogue board certifications can be deception.
Finding a legitimate board-certified plastic surgeon requires careful consideration and doing your homework. When you choose a plastic surgeon, be certain of his/her credentials, and above all, make sure that your doctor is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
When looking for a real board certified plastic surgeon, look for the American Board of Plastic Surgeon official surgeon symbol.
When you check to see if a plastic surgeon is board certified, the search results will reveal an image such as this one that verifies that Dr. Malcolm Lesavoy is a real board certified plastic surgeon:
What Does it Take to Become a Plastic Surgeon?
In addition to graduation from an accredited medical school (4 years), many years of surgical training is required to become a plastic surgeon. There are two paths to achieving this training requirement:
- Successful completion of a General Surgery Residency (5 years minimum) followed by successful completion of a Plastic Surgery Residency program (3 years minimum).
Or
- Successful completion of an extended Plastic Surgery Training program (6 years minimum), also called the “Integrated Plastic Surgery Model.”
What are the education requirements for plastic surgeons?
The American Board of Plastic Surgery requires surgeons have training in the following areas in order to be a candidate for board certification:
General Surgery Training:
- Abdominal Surgery
- Oncologic/Breast Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Surgical Critical Care
- Surgical Oncology (Non-Breast)
- Transplant Surgery
- Trauma Management
- Vascular Surgery
Strongly Suggested Training:
- Acute burn management
- Anesthesia
- Dermatology
- Oculoplastic surgery or Ophthalmology
- Oral and Maxillofacial surgery
- Orthopaedic trauma surgery
Plastic Surgery Training:
- Congenital defects of the head and neck (Cleft Lip and palate, and craniofacial surgery)
- Head and neck surgery, including neoplasms of the head, neck and oropharynx
- Craniomaxillofacial trauma, including fractures
- Cosmetic surgery of the head and neck, trunk and extremities
- Plastic surgery of the breast
- Surgery of the hand/upper extremity
- Plastic Surgery of the lower extremities
- Plastic surgery of the trunk and genitalia
- Burn reconstruction
- Microsurgical techniques applicable to plastic surgery, including lymphedema management
- Reconstruction by tissue transfer, including grafts, flaps and transplantations
- Surgery of benign and malignant lesions of the skin and soft tissues
- Gender affirmation surgery
Why do you want a real plastic surgeon?
Because, as you can see, you don’t want a doctor that cuts corners to make the wrong cuts on you.
The path to become a plastic surgeon is obviously very competitive and the requirements are lengthy and among the toughest to achieve. Given the lure and glamour of the cosmetic surgery industry, it’s no wonder so many doctors desire to become a plastic surgeon. As you can see, it’s a very long road until a real plastic surgeon gets to hang that certificate on their wall.
A Reputation of Excellence
★★★★★
I’ve known Dr Lesavoy for 30 years. He performed by breast reduction, and recently replaced leaking implants. They look beautiful! He also did a little touch up on my nose. He is truly the best. I wouldn’t let another doctor touch me! He is simply the best. Do not waste your time with with other “facial plastic surgeons”, aka ENTs. He is a real plastic surgeon.
★★★★★
Doctor Malcolm Lesavoy is a very skilled surgeon with impeccable credentials. I feel lucky to have had a few surgeries done by Doctor Lesavoy with amazing results. I would proudly recommend him to anyone .Your surgery will be done by a Doctor that not only cares about you and getting a fantastic result. But can and will deliver.
Join board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Malcolm Lesavoy at his beautiful practice in Beverly Hills for a consultation. With more than 25,000 surgeries performed, Dr. Lesavoy has the expertise & experience to provide you with beautiful results.