What is a "fully trained" Plastic Surgeon?

By using the term "fully trained" plastic surgeon we mean the surgeon has undergone formal and approved training specifically in the field of plastic surgery. This is known as a plastic surgery residency.

This residency in the United States is at least two years in length, but only after the surgeon completes prerequisite surgical training such as an orthopedic surgery residency (5 years) or an ear nose and throat residency (4-5 years). The more common requisite training to become a plastic surgeon is through a general surgery residency for (a minimum of 3 years). The surgeon must be promoted each year to the next level. It would not say much for a surgeon who did three years of surgery, but all at the first year level. So to be approved the surgeon must have at least three years of progressive training, before even entering plastic surgery residency. 

This means a total of 5 years at a bare minimum, after medical school. Plastic Surgery is serious surgery and not something one can learn in a few weekend courses. This is one of the longest training programs in all of medicine. Dr. Pasquale completed an approved 5 year general surgery residency and an approve 2 year plastic surgery residency after medical school.

Is it legal for Physicians to practice plastic surgery
without the approved residency training?

Yes it is - and my job is not to say they should not. I will say that it  was not until recent years that hospitals even required formal residency training in most specialties. In fact, today there are some excellent cardiac surgeons who never did a special residency in cardiac surgery, but most these doctors were some of the doctors who started the field. 

Likewise, there are physicians who are presently practicing plastic surgery, who have not completed the formal requirements of an approved residency. This is not to say they are not "good" physicians, surgeons or plastic surgeons. Yet today the most common way to acquire the knowledge and skill to be a plastic surgeon is through a formal training program of 2 to 3 years specific to plastic surgery after many years of basic SURGICAL training. 

Weekend Courses do NOT make a plastic surgeon.

Weekend courses and other short term training programs are good for a surgeon to take, but for them to be useful one should have the fundamentals of surgery training completed and approved first. 

There are two approval bodies for plastic surgery training in the United States that are accepted by the United States Government and Hospitals as approved by the JCAOH. The JCAOH is the big daddy of accreditation of most hospitals. If a Hospital is not accredited by this orginzation they may have serious problems.

There are TWO approval bodies for plastic surgeon's training in the United States. There are two approval bodies for plastic surgery training in the United States that are accepted by the United States Government and Hospitals as approved by the JCAOH. The JCAOH is the big daddy of accreditation of most hospitals. If a Hospital is not accredited by this orginzation they may have serious problems. These two organizations which are both private organizations are under the auspices of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)  and the American Board Of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Both organizations are essentially equivalent. For a plastic surgeon to have approved training he or she must have received the blessing of one of these organizations specifically for PLASTIC SURGERY.

Due to the competitive nature of plastic surgery there are at times rivalry between these two organizations for Plastic Surgery, which has undulated over the years. For example if you were to call the society representing the plastic surgeons who had their training approved by the ABMS and asked about a non-ABMS surgeon (like myself who was approved by the other organization the AOA) they may not even acknowledge that the surgeon exists.

Yet they will tell you that their surgeons (which are due paying members) are the only ones approved by the American Board Of Medical Specialties. True, but somewhat misleading. As I explained, that is not the only legitimate approval body. Try asking them if there is another approval body for plastic surgeons,  they best tell you that you should check with the AOA. If they do not, or mislead you to believe that their organization is the ONLY   legitimate one, I would like to know. Email if this is the case.

Don't be mislead by marketing propaganda. If you have further questions please send me an Email or check on this yourself at the following web sites.

The American Medical Association Link explains about physician training and specialty. AMA 

The American Osteopathic Association has information as well. AOA

You can check with the American Board of Medical Specialties for some plastic surgeons here, but Dr. Pasquale is not member of that organization. 

Note that this ABMS site is not approved JCAHO and NCQA to verify credentials. ABMS CERTIFIED

You can also check with the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. (ABFPRS) 

Verify Dr. Pasquale's Board Certification by calling (770) 939-8555.

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