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Board certification is a crucial benchmark that indicates a plastic surgeon has undergone rigorous training and evaluations beyond medical school. It confirms the surgeon's comprehensive expertise in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.
The ABPS, recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), is the sole certifying board for plastic surgeons in the United States. Surgeons certified by the ABPS must complete extensive training, including residencies and fellowships, and pass thorough exams. Maintaining certification involves continuous education to keep current with advancements in surgical techniques and safety practices.
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon ensures the highest safety standards. Accredited surgical facilities combined with verified surgeon credentials minimize risks and optimize patient outcomes. This commitment to certification guarantees that patients receive care from surgeons dedicated to ethical practice, personalized treatment, and ongoing professional development, ultimately enhancing both safety and aesthetic satisfaction.
Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) indicates a surgeon has completed extensive training after medical school. This includes a minimum of five years of postgraduate education, often totaling 6 to 10 years, which combines residency programs in general surgery followed by specialized plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowships.
Surgeons pursuing ABPS certification typically undergo a rigorous pathway that involves a general surgery residency lasting about five years, plus a plastic surgery residency or fellowship for about three to six years. This extensive hands-on experience ensures proficiency in diverse procedures addressing both cosmetic and reconstructive needs. Learn more about the General Surgery Residency and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship.
After completing training, candidates must pass comprehensive oral and written examinations to demonstrate their knowledge and technical skills. Maintaining board certification requires ongoing education and periodic re-examinations, ensuring surgeons remain updated on the latest advances, safety standards, and ethical practices. Details on continuing education and recertification highlight this commitment.
Unlike cosmetic surgery certifications, which may lack rigorous training or recognition by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), ABPS certification is widely regarded as the gold standard. It assures patients that the surgeon has broad expertise in plastic surgery covering both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, emphasizing safety and quality care. More on differences in certifications and safety.
Board certification by the ABPS is critical because it confirms that the surgeon has met stringent educational, training, and examination standards. This credential promotes patient safety and high-quality outcomes by verifying that the surgeon is well-equipped with comprehensive knowledge and technical experience necessary for complex plastic surgery procedures. It also differentiates fully trained plastic surgeons from those with less rigorous cosmetic-only credentials. Explore the importance of board certification and surgeon qualifications for more insights.
Cape Cod Plastic Surgery operates within a nationally accredited surgical facility, recognized by QUAD A (formerly AAAASF), ensuring strict compliance with high safety and quality standards. Their surgeons hold board certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), highlighting completion of extensive surgical training and ongoing professional development. This certification confirms that surgeons maintain rigorous standards required for plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Board-certified plastic surgeons adhere to protocols established by organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). These protocols govern surgical safety, patient care, and continuous evaluation of clinical outcomes, fostering environments that prioritize patient well-being.
Surgeries are conducted in accredited, state-licensed facilities that meet stringent safety and quality benchmarks. Accrediting bodies like QUAD A ensure that operating rooms and patient recovery areas maintain up-to-date standards for sanitation, emergency preparedness, and technical monitoring, which collectively reduce risk during procedures.
Board certification requires surgeons to engage in continuous education and assessments. This ongoing commitment ensures surgeons remain current with the latest surgical advances, techniques, and safety measures, thereby improving surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Board-certified surgeons uphold high ethical standards, including transparent patient communication and thorough informed consent processes. They carefully evaluate individual health and aesthetic goals to develop personalized treatment plans, ensuring patients make well-informed decisions grounded in trust and professional expertise.
Cape & Islands Plastic Surgery provides a broad spectrum of both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Their surgical offerings include breast procedures such as augmentation, reduction, and lifts, as well as body contouring techniques like abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and liposuction.
Facial plastic surgery options encompass facelifts, brow lifts, and eyelid surgeries designed to rejuvenate and enhance natural features. Beyond surgery, the practice offers non-invasive aesthetic solutions, including Botox injections, dermal fillers to restore volume, laser skin resurfacing procedures, chemical peels in cosmetic surgery, and microneedling treatments.
A standout feature is their availability of advanced body contouring treatments; uniquely, Cape Cod Plastic Surgery is the only practice on Cape Cod providing dual CoolSculpting technology, offering patients effective non-surgical fat reduction.
Every patient receives an individualized evaluation and treatment plan. The expert surgeons take into account the patient’s unique anatomy, health history, and aesthetic goals to design tailored approaches that prioritize safety and optimal outcomes. For more about the importance of personalized patient evaluations and safety, see Why Board-Certification Matters.
The practice stays current with the latest techniques, including cutting-edge non-invasive treatments and comprehensive surgical approaches that utilize advanced technologies. Their dual CoolSculpting offering exemplifies their commitment to innovative body contouring solutions. Learn more about advanced cosmetic procedures and innovative body contouring in Plastic Surgery Certification and Common Cosmetic Procedures.
Cape Cod Plastic Surgery is led by highly trained, board-certified surgeons, including Dr. Marc Fater, Dr. Gervais, and Dr. Tholen, who have completed rigorous residencies and fellowships in plastic and reconstructive surgery. They operate in nationally accredited facilities, ensuring high standards of patient safety and care. For more details on the qualifications and safety standards for board-certified surgeons, see Board Certification Matters and Importance of Choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Their expertise encompasses both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, providing patients in Hyannis, Massachusetts, with trusted, high-quality care tailored to enhance confidence and appearance, consistent with Plastic Surgery Patient Safety and Quality Care in Hyannis.
Cape Cod Plastic Surgery is led by Dr. Marc C. Fater, a highly experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with over 21 years dedicated to cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Fater holds fellowship status with the American College of Surgeons and has a subspecialty focus including hand and craniofacial surgery. He is affiliated with Cape Cod Hospital, recognized as a U.S. News Best Hospital. Supporting him are Dr. Gervais and Dr. Tholen, both certified by the American Board of Surgery and extensively trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery, enhancing the team's depth of expertise.
The surgical leaders at Cape Cod Plastic Surgery actively contribute to medical science through peer-reviewed research and publications. Their involvement in academia underscores their commitment to advancing plastic surgery knowledge while maintaining the highest clinical standards. Affiliations with reputable institutions help keep the practice at the forefront of surgical innovation, consistent with standards outlined by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
The team emphasizes continuous education, ensuring they remain current with the latest techniques and safety standards. Personalized patient evaluations and treatments are central to their approach, reflecting a deep commitment to individual health, aesthetic goals, and safety. This ethos ensures that each patient receives tailored care driven by expertise and compassion, aligned with recommendations from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and trusted board-certified plastic surgeons.
Cape Cod Plastic Surgery offers personalized care through detailed consultations that carefully evaluate each patient’s unique health needs and aesthetic goals. Their board-certified surgeons, including Dr. Seth Jones and Dr. Michael Loffredo, create individualized treatment plans to achieve optimal outcomes. The practice operates within nationally accredited surgery facilities that adhere to rigorous safety standards, providing a trusted environment for patients.
The surgeons at Cape Cod Plastic Surgery proudly display their board certifications from recognized American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or equivalent bodies. Verification of credentials is strongly encouraged to guarantee patients receive care from surgeons with extensive training, including years of plastic surgery residency and fellowship. This credentialing ensures expertise in both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, which is vital for patient safety and satisfaction.
Patient education is an integral part of the practice’s approach. Patients receive thorough explanations about risks, benefits, and alternatives to empower informed decision-making. Continued professional development and adherence to best safety practices are maintained by all surgeons, with the goal of delivering effective and ethical care as emphasized by the American Board of Plastic Surgery's rigorous standards.
Serving the Cape Cod area with multiple accessible locations, Cape Cod Plastic Surgery has earned community trust by being voted Best of Cape Cod for eleven consecutive years. Their blend of expert surgical skill, personalized care, and innovative non-surgical treatments like dual CoolSculpting reflects their commitment to comprehensive patient-centered service highlighted in Cape Cod cosmetic surgery experts.
In addition to advanced surgical options, the practice offers Botox, Dysport, dermal fillers (Juvederm, Restylane), laser skin resurfacing procedures, chemical peels in cosmetic surgery, microneedling treatments, and CoolSculpting for fat reduction, providing patients with minimally invasive choices that enhance natural beauty with little downtime, consistent with common cosmetic procedures performed by board-certified plastic surgeons.
Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) confirms a surgeon's extensive training, experience, and expertise in both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. Surgeons certified by ABPS have completed 6 to 10 years of rigorous training after medical school, including residencies and fellowships that focus on plastic surgery. This certification ensures they have passed comprehensive written and oral examinations, reflecting their proficiency in surgical techniques and patient care.
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon safeguards patients with verified competencies and adherence to strict safety standards, often practiced in nationally accredited surgical facilities. Such surgeons commit to ongoing education to stay updated on advances, helping reduce risks and improve outcomes. Certification emphasizes ethical practice and patient-centered care, ensuring personalized treatment plans that align with individual health and aesthetic goals.
Patients are encouraged to research their surgeon’s credentials diligently. Verifying ABPS certification provides confidence in the surgeon’s qualifications and the practice’s commitment to safe, quality surgical care. Requesting detailed information about training, certification, and facility accreditation supports informed decision-making, ultimately enhancing patient satisfaction and trust in their chosen provider.

November 7, 2025
Learn how to prepare for breast augmentation with expert tips on consultations, recovery prep, and what to expect.

November 7, 2025
Exploring Advanced Non-Surgical Aesthetic Solutions for Enhanced Natural Beauty

November 7, 2025
Ensuring Excellence and Safety Through Board Certification in Plastic Surgery