Why isn't membership to ASAPS mandatory for all cosmetic surgeons?
Asked 2014-10-22
If membership to ASAPS ensures adherence to ethical standards, why isn't membership to ASAPS mandatory for all cosmetic surgeons?
1 answer
Procedure(s)
That is a very good question. Seeing a member of ASAPS, tells you that your surgeon in Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Membership to the organization, like many national and local societies is voluntary and only Plastic Surgeons may be members. This brings out the fact that not all physicians who call themselves cosmetic surgeons are plastic surgeons. A physician who is a plastic surgeon has completed an accredited residency in the specialty and has become Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. There are a number of core specialties that perform cosmetic procedures, such as Otolaryngologists (ENT), Dermatologists, etc. When choosing a physician to perform an aesthetic procedure, one should check their board certification and feel comfortable that the procedure to be done falls within their area of expertise. Another way to verify this is to ask if the physician has the privilege to perform the operation at a hospital facility. Hospitals will credential individuals to perform certain operations based on their training.