How Can a Plastic Surgeon’s International Qualifications Be Verified?

When evaluating a plastic surgeon’s international qualifications, looking only at the titles on their website, social media profile, or surgical photographs is not sufficient. Specialist training, national professional registration, international certification and Fellowship processes, academic background, and experience with the relevant operations should be considered together. One important characteristic of titles such as FACS and FEBOPRAS is that patients can verify these credentials through the official records of the relevant organisations.

However, it is important to recognise that different titles do not mean the same thing. FACS indicates that a surgeon has met Fellowship criteria established by the American College of Surgeons, while FEBOPRAS is a Fellow title associated with the European plastic surgery training and examination process. Neither guarantees the result of any particular operation on its own; both are important indicators that can be used when evaluating a surgeon’s professional background.

How Can a Plastic Surgeon’s Specialist Training Be Verified?

The first point to assess is whether the doctor is genuinely a specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. Graduating from medical school or receiving training in aesthetic procedures is not the same as qualifying as a specialist plastic surgeon.

Specialist training covers a broad range of subjects, including surgical anatomy, trauma and reconstruction, wound management, breast surgery, body contouring, facial surgery, and the management of complications. Patients should therefore pay attention not only to the description “aesthetic surgeon” but also to the doctor’s officially recognised specialty.

Methods of verifying national specialist registration may vary from country to country. Some countries have publicly accessible doctor registers, while access may be more limited in others. For international patients, openly verifiable international titles may therefore provide an additional layer of checks.

What Does Board Certification Mean?

Although the expression “board certified” is commonly used in plastic surgery, it does not refer to the same system throughout the world. Board structures and certification criteria vary between countries and regions.

In general, board assessments may include criteria such as specialist training, completion of specific educational requirements, and passing theoretical or practical examinations. These systems aim to assess not only whether the surgeon has received training, but also whether they can meet defined professional standards.

There is, however, an important distinction: not every international title should be described directly as “board certification”. FACS, for example, is not the name of a board certificate. It is more accurate to consider what titles such as FACS and FEBOPRAS mean separately.

What Does the FACS Title Tell You About a Plastic Surgeon?

FACS stands for “Fellow of the American College of Surgeons”. The letters FACS after a surgeon’s name indicate that they have been admitted to Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons.

Fellowship assessment should not be regarded as merely a membership application. Criteria such as the surgeon’s education, professional experience, surgical competence, and compliance with ethical standards form part of the assessment process.

However, it is also important not to overstate the meaning of FACS. The title does not guarantee that a particular operation will be successful or that a surgeon has the same level of experience in every plastic surgery procedure. The more appropriate approach is to regard FACS as one independent indicator that can be used when assessing the surgeon’s professional background.

What Does FEBOPRAS Certification Mean?

FEBOPRAS refers to the Fellow title associated with the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. EBOPRAS is an organisation that works towards harmonising training standards in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery across Europe.

To obtain the FEBOPRAS title, candidates must meet the specified eligibility requirements and successfully complete the EBOPRAS examination process. The title is therefore not the same as simply joining a professional organisation.

It is important to recognise its limitations here as well. FEBOPRAS provides information about a plastic surgeon’s fulfilment of specific European-level training and examination criteria, but does not by itself guarantee their current professional standing, experience in a particular operation, or surgical outcome.

Where Can FACS and FEBOPRAS Be Verified?

One of the most important characteristics of an international title is that it can be checked without relying solely on the surgeon’s own statements.

For FACS, the official surgeon search system of the American College of Surgeons can be used. Patients can search for the surgeon’s name in the Find a Surgeon section to check their American College of Surgeons Fellowship status.

For FEBOPRAS, the official EBOPRAS Fellows list can be used. The surgeon’s name can be searched on this list to verify their FEBOPRAS Fellow status.

The basic principle is simple: a title appearing on a surgeon’s website, CV, or social media account is not the same as that title being verified in the relevant organisation’s official records.

Being listed among EBOPRAS Fellows also does not automatically verify a surgeon’s current professional “good standing” in the country where they practise. Their current licence to practise and national professional registration should be assessed separately.

Do International Professional Memberships Demonstrate Competence?

Plastic surgeons may list memberships of various international associations on their CVs. These may indicate a connection with scientific and professional communities in their field, but not every membership has the same admission criteria.

Some organisations require specialist credentials or particular professional qualifications for membership, while admission requirements for other memberships may differ. The presence of many association logos alone should therefore not be used to draw a definitive conclusion about a surgeon’s clinical competence.

It is more meaningful to establish which organisation the membership belongs to, the organisation’s admission criteria, and whether the surgeon’s status can be verified in official records. Membership, board assessment, Fellowship, and national specialist registration are different concepts.

Which Competencies Do International Certifications Demonstrate in a Plastic Surgeon?

International certifications and professional titles are most important because they indicate that the surgeon’s educational and professional background has been assessed against specific standards.

However, competence in plastic surgery is not based solely on examinations or certificates. For example, a patient considering body contouring surgery should also consider the surgeon’s current clinical experience in that field. Similarly, different operations such as BBL, tummy tuck, breast surgery, or body contouring after major weight loss require different types of surgical planning and experience.

International titles are therefore an important starting point, but they are not the only answer to the question, “Is this the right surgeon for me?”

How Should Certifications Be Considered When Choosing a Surgeon?

The aim when selecting a surgeon is not to find the person with the greatest number of titles, but to verify their professional background through different sources. Specialist training, verifiable professional titles such as FACS or FEBOPRAS, academic background, experience with the relevant operation, and the standards of the healthcare facility where surgery will be performed should all be assessed together.

The consultation is also an important part of this evaluation. How the surgeon assesses the patient’s anatomy, explains whether expectations are realistic, discusses possible risks, and avoids recommending the same surgical plan to every patient may provide valuable information about their professional approach.

One of the most valuable aspects of an international title is that patients do not have to rely solely on the surgeon’s own account of it. Verifiable titles such as FACS and FEBOPRAS may provide objective checkpoints when researching a surgeon. However, safe and informed surgeon selection is based not on one certificate, but on verifiable training, current professional standing, clinical experience, and an appropriate assessment of the individual patient.

Physician Information

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Tatar is a Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery specialist who is Double Board Certified by two international boards. He holds the titles of Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (FEBOPRAS).

His international professional memberships include ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) and ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).

His clinic is located in Istanbul and is officially authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health as a Health Tourism Center. His company is registered in the United Kingdom & Wales.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Telephone No : +90 (555) 100 10 83
Contact Link : [email protected]