How to Verify Your Surgeon Before Your Cosmetic Procedure

Empower Your Choice with the Right Knowledge

Choosing a cosmetic surgeon is a decision that affects both safety and results. Verifying credentials before any procedure helps ensure you are in qualified hands.

This article provides actionable steps to confirm you are choosing a trained professional. Board certification is a cornerstone of patient safety, and knowing how to check it gives you control over your care.

Board Certification: The Foundation of Trust

Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) represents the highest standard of training and expertise in the field. The ABPS is the only board recognized by the [American Board of Medical Specialties](https://abms.org/) (ABMS) for the specialty of plastic surgery, making it the gold standard in physician certification. To earn this credential, a surgeon must complete a minimum of six years of surgical training, with at least three years dedicated to an accredited plastic surgery residency, and then pass rigorous written and oral examinations.

The term "cosmetic surgeon" is not a protected title. Any licensed physician can legally use it, regardless of their actual training. This means a doctor with minimal surgical experience could perform cosmetic procedures. Verifying ABPS certification is the only reliable way to ensure your surgeon has the specific, comprehensive education required for safe plastic surgery.

ABPS certification is not a one-time event. Certified surgeons must participate in a Continuous Certification program that includes ongoing self-assessment, practice improvement activities, and biennial evaluations to demonstrate their continued knowledge and skill. This commitment to lifelong learning keeps them current with the latest safety protocols and surgical techniques.

At Cape Cod Plastic Surgery, Dr. Marc Fater holds active ABPS board certification, a credential that reflects this demanding path. Choosing a surgeon with this level of certification provides a foundation of trust that every patient deserves.

Step-by-Step Credential Verification Tool

The most direct way to verify a surgeon is to use the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) online verification tool. You can search by the surgeon's last name or by location, including city, state, and zip code. If the search results show an active ABPS certification, the surgeon has completed accredited training and passed comprehensive written and oral exams.

To ensure a surgeon's credentials meet the highest standards, cross-reference their certification through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) website. The free, no-login tool allows you to verify if a surgeon is certified by any of the 24 recognized medical specialty boards, including the ABPS. This cross-reference confirms the credential is legitimate and recognized as the gold standard in physician certification.

It is also important to check that the surgeon holds an active, unrestricted medical license. You can verify this by contacting your state medical board through the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) online directory. An active, unrestricted medical license is a requirement for ABPS certification, and any lapse or disciplinary action against a license can affect a surgeon's board certification status.

Patients at Cape Cod Plastic Surgery can also directly ask about credentials during their consultation. For practical guidance on what documents to bring and which questions to ask to confirm a surgeon's qualifications, review our article on what documents to bring to your cosmetic surgery consultation.

Beyond Credentials: Essential Questions for Your Consultation

Verifying board certification is the first step, but the consultation itself is where you gauge whether a surgeon is the right fit for your goals. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recommends asking a series of targeted questions that go beyond the diploma on the wall.

Questions About Experience and the Procedure

Procedure frequency. Ask how often the surgeon performs the specific procedure you are considering. Repeat volume signals familiarity and refined technique. Alternatives. Inquire about both noninvasive and other surgical options that might achieve your goals with lower risk or faster recovery. A skilled surgeon will openly discuss the trade-offs. The care team. Confirm whether the surgeon you meet during consultation will be the person performing the procedure. Also ask whether the same surgical team is used for every case — consistent teams reduce errors and improve outcomes. Before-and-after photos. Ask to see real, unretouched photos of previous patients who underwent the same procedure. A reluctance to share photos is a red flag.

Questions About Recovery and Risk Management

Understanding the recovery process is as important as the procedure itself. Ask about the expected timeline for follow-up visits, the type of medications you will need, and what a typical recovery day looks like.

Your surgeon should be transparent about potential complications. Ask how they have handled complications in the past — look for an answer that shows a commitment to patient safety and long-term follow-through rather than a pattern of avoiding unhappy patients.

Finally, ask the surgeon directly whether they think pursuing this procedure is reasonable for you. The best plastic surgeons are nonjudgmental and will give an honest, patient-centered opinion. A practice like our detailed guide on questions to ask your cosmetic surgeon provides detailed guidance on exactly which questions to bring to your consultation so you leave feeling fully informed.

The Hidden Danger of Non-Certified Providers

In most states, any licensed physician can legally perform cosmetic procedures regardless of their specialty training. This means a doctor certified in family medicine could legally perform liposuction or inject fillers, despite having no residency training in plastic surgery. This gap between what is legal and what is safe can put patients at significant risk.

Non-certified providers may lack the expertise needed for complex surgical and non-surgical procedures. Board certification by an American Board of Medical Specialties recognized board, such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery, assures you that the surgeon has completed years of specialized training and passed rigorous exams. Without this credential, the risk of complications, poor aesthetic outcomes, and dissatisfaction increases substantially.

Safety extends beyond the surgeon's skill. Non-certified providers may not have privileges at accredited surgical facilities, which can lead to lower standards for sterility, emergency preparedness, and equipment quality. Data shows that 55.7% of malpractice cases in cosmetic procedures involve practitioners operating outside their accredited scope of training^{[citation needed]}, and mortality rates are significantly lower in accredited facilities.

Choosing a non-certified surgeon can also lead to the need for costly revision surgeries when results are unsatisfactory or complications arise. Patients may be misled by confusing, non-standard credentials. For your safety and peace of mind, always verify that your surgeon holds valid board certification from a recognized board like the American Board of Plastic Surgery before committing to any procedure.

Your Local Resource: Cape Cod Plastic Surgery

For residents of Cape Cod and the surrounding region, Dr. Marc Fater at Cape Cod Plastic Surgery offers a local practice that meets the highest standards of training and safety. Dr. Fater is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only ABMS-recognized board for plastic surgery. His training includes a medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and a fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine.

Dr. Fater has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2004, reflecting sustained excellence in patient care. He holds active hospital privileges at Cape Cod Hospital, which provides an independent layer of credential verification. His practice operates in an accredited surgical facility, aligning with safety standards recommended by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Cape Cod Plastic Surgery delivers a full range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, including facial rejuvenation, breast surgery, body contouring, and hand surgery. Every treatment plan is built around personalized care, with Dr. Fater and his team guiding patients through each step — from initial consultation to recovery. Patients seeking a surgeon who meets the highest safety and training benchmarks need look no further than their own community.

Final Thoughts on Choosing Your Surgeon

Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery gives you a solid foundation of safety and skill. Use the ABMS and state medical board tools to verify credentials, then ask the right questions during your consultation.

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is the most important decision you can make for a safe, successful outcome. At our practice, Dr. Fater is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and committed to patient-centered care. Take these steps before any procedure.