This society will be holding its annual meeting from May 2 – 7, and Dr. Silverton will be attending. This is the premier society for cosmetic plastic surgery in the world. Membership has strict rigorous requirements. To be a member the candidate has to satisfy all the following criteria;

Must be a plastic surgeon
Must be Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Must already be a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Must concentrate the majority of their surgery on cosmetic surgery
Must maintain the highest ethical standards
Must be sponsored by two existing members
Must have completed at least 3 years of practice after certification

Only about one quarter of plastic surgeons meet these qualifications. Dr Silverton is a member. The society regularly puts on educational meetings and sponsors research in cosmetic surgery. It serves the public interest by promoting patient safety, and provides accurate and timely information of interest about cosmetic surgery to the news media. It also compiles annual statistics of cosmetic procedures done.

This is part of an article on the American Society of Plastic Surgeon’s website;
“There were 456,828 liposuction procedures performed in 2007, the latest data available, an increase of 13% from a year earlier, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. To perform liposuction, a practitioner must be a doctor, but isn’t required to have any special licensing or certification. In many states, a licensed physician assistant can participate in the surgery, but only under a doctor’s supervision.”

It is sad but true that many doctors practicing plastic surgery procedures have not been trained in plastic surgery. Here are the requirements to be a fully trained plastic surgeon. Many doctors who practice cosmetic surgery cannot meet these requirements. It is important for all prospective patients to check up on their surgeon’s credentials.

1. Is a qualified medical doctor who has at least 6 years of surgical training and experience with a minimum of 3 years of plastic surgery.
2. Is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
3. Operates only in accredited medical facilities.
4. Adheres to a strict code of ethics.
5. Fulfills continuing medical education requirements, including standards and innovations in patient safety.
6. Will be your partner, working to achieve your goals.ASPS_Member.jpg

Only plastic surgeons with these qualifications have earned the right to display the ASPS Member Surgeon symbol. I have fulfilled all these requirements and have been a board certified plastic surgeon for more than 30 years.