Santa Barbara Breast Implants

Why should I have breast implant surgery by a surgeon who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

As the popularity of breast implants and general plastic surgery has increased over the past several years, more and more providers are trying to get involved in the specialty of plastic surgery. These providers can range from spa personnel with no medical training, to physicians trained in non-plastic surgical specialties. Unfortunately, any licensed physician can call themselves a plastic surgeon, regardless of their lack of training in the field of breast implants or plastic surgery. Certainly, it is in the patient’s best interest to find a caregiver that is an expert in their field.

Although this is not a frequent occurrence in Santa Barbara, breast implant surgery has been performed by those not completely trained in plastic surgery. In fact, many breast implant patients throughout the country have been dismayed to find that their surgeon has not completed a plastic surgery residency- and this is too often found out after it is too late. This situation can be avoided by checking to see that your physician is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery at the time of your initial breast implant consultation.

In the world of contemporary advertising, it is relatively easy for any physician to give the impression that he or she is qualified in plastic surgery. While “Board Certification” is an important credential that any patient should seek in their physician, a provider who is “Boarded” in another specialty, but not by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, can easily mislead the patient. It is easy to become confused by a statement that says a physician is a “Board Certified Plastic Surgeon” when in fact he or she has been certified by a non-plastic surgery board and has had no formal training in plastic surgery.

Becoming certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a very difficult process. It is no wonder that some providers who wish to perform breast implant surgery have not or can not achieve this goal. In order to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a physician must, among other things:

1. Be properly licensed as an MD or DO

2. Undergo training programs in prerequisite surgery in addition to specific training in the field of plastic surgery, a total of which ranges between 5 and 10 or more years in length following medical school

3. Limit his or her practice to the field of plastic surgery

4. Undergo rigorous written examinations, as well as a multi-day oral examination which includes examination of the physician’s practice

5. Practice in accordance with the strict ethical codes established by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

6. Provide evidence of ongoing continuing education in the field of plastic surgery

What have other doctors done instead of becoming certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

Aside from the misleading advertising practices listed above, some groups of physicians have created their own “Boards”. One of these, American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, does require significant and proper training in the field of plastic surgery that is limited to the head and neck region. The majority of these physicians are originally trained in Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery and have good and safe knowledge of this region of the body. Other Boards, such as the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, accepts physicians that have had residency training in areas of medicine that do not even emphasize surgical practice. Members of this Board may perform breast implant surgery despite a lack of true training.

How can a patient be sure of their breast implant surgeon’s training, ethics, and certification?

There are two important things to look for when evaluating a breast implant surgeon. The first and most important is to figure out which Board has certified the doctor. A patient who finds that their doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery can be assured that he or she has undergone the proper training in breast implant surgery, passed the demanding plastic surgical examination process, and continued to practice with a very high level of ethical standards.

Secondly, patients should look for their provider to be a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), which is the largest organizational and educational society of plastic surgeons who have been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. All members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery are required to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Additionally, physicians who belong to this organization have committed themselves to further interests of ongoing plastic surgery education, plastic surgery research, and patient safety in plastic surgery. Much of our educational programs continue to inform about new and different, better methods of breast implant surgery. Here in Santa Barbara, we have utilized our efforts in both learning and teaching on the national level to achieve the best results.

What about Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Lowenstein in Santa Barbara?

Both Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Lowenstein have been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Both Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Lowenstein are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery. In fact, Dr. Lowenstein sits on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Plastic Surgery. With regard to breast implant surgery, as with all aspects of plastic surgery, Dr. Lowenstein and Dr. Sheffield encourage patients to become educated about the qualifications of their plastic surgery providers.

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