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Why ABPS Board Certification is Important

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The term “Board Certified” is used broadly, therefore it is important to understand that all Board Certifications are not the same. The only Board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties for cosmetic surgery is the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

Unfortunately, not all doctors who perform cosmetic surgery to the face as Facelifts, Necklifts, Rhinoplastys, and Eyelid Surgery are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and do not have the same amount of extensive training. Many surgeons who call themselves Board Certified Surgeons, such as “Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeons,” are NOT Board Certified Plastic Surgeons by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Not all surgeons have equal skills, training, and specialties. So, how can you choose the best surgeon for a plastic or reconstruction surgery? For any operation – especially one that alters your appearance – you want to place your trust in the best surgeon available. Unfortunately, not all doctors who perform aesthetic enhancements have extensive training, remain abreast of the latest techniques and technologies, and have the experience to deliver optimal results.

If you are like most patients considering a cosmetic improvement, you probably begin by asking friends and family who they may have chosen for such work in the past. Next, you review some surgeons’ websites, and call for a consultation with the ones that appeal to you most.

But when contemplating invasive surgery, you should not stop there. Instead, you should investigate your surgeon’s background and research the claims they may make about their training and experience.

To learn more about why Dr. Jason Cooper is the best surgeon to choose for your cosmetic surgery in South Florida, request a consultation at one of his convenient locations in Jupiter or Palm Beach.

Understanding Surgical Credentials

Board certifications are the benchmark for any physician. But each organization that certifies physicians is autonomous and has unique standards and guidelines. Therefore, to ensure your surgeon’s accreditation carries sufficient weight of optimal training, continuing education, and experience, you should understand the differences. 

Some surgeons advertise their credentials as board-certified from organizations not approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties. This board oversees specific physician specialty boards, insisting they develop and maintain optimal standards. The only board they recognize for cosmetic surgery is the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Furthermore, just because a surgeon may be board-certified by an organization approved by the ABMS does not mean they are the most qualified for cosmetic surgery. For example, a board-certified gynecologist would not be the best option for a facelift, nor would a board-certified oral surgeon be the best qualified to perform a tummy tuck.

What Is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon?

To earn board certification, a plastic surgeon must complete the most rigorous training in medicine. They must also keep abreast with plastic and reconstructive surgery innovations and advancements, with continuing education to maintain their status. Also, they uphold the highest ethical standards.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery exists to promote ethical, safe, and effective plastic surgery to patients by maintaining these rigorous standards. These levels of certification include education, examination, and continuous training of plastic surgeons as specialists in their field.

But others who perform cosmetic surgery cannot call themselves board-certified plastic surgeons. That’s why certified practitioners like cosmetic surgeons do not fall under the ABMS umbrella. Then, you have others like board-certified dermatologists or oral surgeons. Their certifications are from ABMS-approved member boards, but their specialty does not include plastic, reconstructive, or cosmetic surgery. 

Choose Wisely

For your convenience, we have included boards that offer certifications but have NOT earned ABMS approval. Providers with these certifications are NOT Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and in most cases have many fewer years of surgical training:

  • The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
  • The American Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
  • The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • The American Board of Dermatologic Surgery
  • The American Board of Cosmetic Medicine
  • The American Board of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • The American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine

Why the ABPS?

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is an elite group of only 24 member boards of the ABMS. It is the only board that will ensure your physician has graduated with a four-year college degree, has achieved an accredited medical school program to become a medical doctor, and has finished an accredited plastic surgery residency training program.

dr. jason cooper, md facelift specialst palm beach

Why Dr. Jason Cooper?

Dr. Jason Cooper is a well established, highly experienced, American Board of Plastic Surgery Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience and expertise in the areas of Plastic Surgery to the Face & Breast. Dr. Cooper’s Facelift and Necklift surgery volume is consistently in the top 1% of all Plastic Surgeons in the United States. His detail and results oriented philosophy and natural aesthetic leads to surgical outcomes that are natural, predictable and safe. In addition to his extensive training in the Harvard Plastic Surgery program, Dr. Cooper is consistently on the cutting edge and incorporates best practices and the newest techniques being developed in Plastic Surgery around the world.

Dr. Cooper has a practice philosophy developed from his nearly 20 years of experience which centers around highly selective patient qualification and an individualized and detail oriented surgical plan and process with the goal of the best outcomes and patient experience possible. Dr. Cooper limits the number of patients he will operate on in one day and is highly regimented in his lifestyle in order to ensure that he is always at his best for his patients.

Dr. Cooper is a Stuart, Florida native and attended the University of Miami School and Medicine and then went onto the Combined Harvard Plastic Surgery Residency Program, one of the most prestigious programs in the country. Dr. Cooper then grew a successful practice at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Cooper has spoken nationally and internationally on such topics as anesthesia during face lifting, and laser techniques.

After 10 years in Boston, Dr. Cooper returned to South Florida in 2014 and established his practice with a private AAAASF Certified Surgical Center in Jupiter, FL and a second office location in Palm Beach, FL. Since the inception of Jason Cooper MD Plastic Surgery he has become known nationally for several cosmetic surgery procedures including facelift, eyelid surgery, and cosmetic breast surgery.

Dr. Cooper reside in North Palm Beach, Florida with his wife and two daughters and also spends time in his home in Park City, Utah.  Dr. Cooper enjoys spending time with his family while alpine skiing, skinning, mountain biking, and hiking.

Learn more about why South Florida women and men looking for plastic surgeons in the Palm Beach Gardens area choose Dr. Cooper’s Jupiter, FL practice. Request a consultation online to meet with Dr. Cooper, or call our office at (561) 406-6574 to schedule an appointment.

What Is the ASPS?

Founded in 1931, the American Society of Plastic Surgery is the largest plastic surgery organization worldwide. Board-certified plastic surgeons are highly trained in:

  • Reconstructive surgery
  • Cosmetic procedures
  • Hand surgery
  • Burn wounds
  • Tumor removal
  • Wound trauma
  • Cancer reconstruction
  • Correction of acquired deformities and birth defects
  • Microsurgery
  • Maxillofacial surgery
  • Maxillofacial craniofacial surgery

The ASPS guarantees your surgeon:

  • Accumulated at least six years of surgical training and experience, with at least three years in plastic surgery
  • Operates only in accredited medical facilities
  • Adheres to strict ethical standards
  • Completes continuing medical education requirements, including innovations and standards in patient safety
  • Is your partner in optimal medical care

Cosmetic Surgery Fellowships

Many cosmetic surgery fellowships do not qualify for accreditation. Surgeons who hold a cosmetic surgery fellowship do not meet ABPS’ criteria for board certification. Indeed, they do not even qualify for ABPS membership. The ABPS has been the gold standard in medical and surgical training since its founding in 1941.

Making Your Decision

Finally, when making your final decision on who to trust to perform your surgery, you need to have confidence in the skill and expertise your surgeon provides. Trust your intuition. If you are not confident with the physician’s experience, skill, and bedside manner, you will not be satisfied with the journey you are about to start. Your safety and medical care are worth the time spent investigating and educating yourself before you make this momentous decision.

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

What training have you completed?

They should have at least six years of surgical training, with three being in plastic surgery.

Have you earned certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

They should answer yes.

Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery?

They should answer yes. If no, they failed their board exams or had legal or ethical issues that got them rejected.

Why Dr. Jason Cooper?

Harvard-trained and board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Cooper delivers high patient satisfaction. His patients enjoy exceptionally natural-looking results in plastic surgery of the face, breasts, and body. In addition, he is a top performer of facial plastic surgery, performing over 150 facelifts per year.

He performs all his surgical procedures at his state-of-the-art, accredited surgical center and boasts the most compassionate and professional staff in South Florida, if not the United States.

To learn more about Dr. Cooper’s practice, his experience, his accreditations, and the procedures he offers, request a consultation with him today!

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