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The Qualifications of Board-certified Plastic SurgeonsFredric Newman, MD, FACS

It is widely known that board certification is one of the most important indicators of a plastic surgeon's training and expertise.

However, gaining an understanding of what this distinction actually means and how it is earned can help significantly when it comes to choosing the right surgeon and achieving your desired results.

There are many different boards through which surgeons can earn certification, but when a surgeon is board-certified in plastic surgery, it means that he or she has completed extensive training beyond medical school and passed rigorous examinations by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which is governed by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Fredric Newman in Darien, CT, believes patient education is essential. If you are considering plastic surgery, he encourages you to learn more about the qualifications of board-certified plastic surgeons and why you should choose a surgeon who has earned this distinction.

Residency and Examination

A surgeon can only earn board certification in plastic surgery through the ABPS. Any licensed physician can call himself or herself a cosmetic surgeon, but the title of "plastic surgeon" indicates the completion of specialized surgical training. Meanwhile, "board-certified plastic surgeon" signifies that the doctor has:

  • Graduated from an accredited medical school.
  • Completed a five-year residency in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Each year of the residency involves full-time training with senior surgeons in every facet of surgery. At least three years of the residency are spent focused on cosmetic, reconstructive, craniomaxillofacial, and hand surgery. Surgeons often choose to undergo many more years of training focused on specific procedures and techniques.
  • Passed an extensive written and oral examination administered by the ABPS.
  • Passed an in-depth peer review coordinated by the ABPS.

Dr. Fredric Newman is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the ​National Board of Medical Examiners, and the American Board of Surgery.

Fairfield county plastic surgeon Dr. Newman

Is Your Plastic Surgeon Board-certified?

As a patient, you should never hesitate to ask a surgeon if he or she is certified by the ABPS. In fact, it is advisable to pose this question face to face since some distinctions can be easily confused. For example, being licensed by a state medical board is not the same as being board-certified in plastic surgery. Board certification in plastic surgery means that the surgeon has completed extensive training beyond medical school and passed rigorous examinations by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Beware that there are many bogus boards. Physicians can claim to be board-certified, but the only legitimate certification comes from the ABPS through the ABMS.

Fairfield County plastic surgeon Dr. Newman in suit

What if a Surgeon Is Not Board-certified?

Persuing ABPS certification is voluntary. If a surgeon is not certified by the ABPS, it could mean that he or she:

  • Underwent training outside of the United States or Canada
  • Completed surgical training in an osteopathic program
  • Chose not to meet ABPS training requirements
  • Chose not to undergo an examination following residency
  • Did not pass the ABPS examination

Trust Your Care to a Board-certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Fredric Newman is a board-certified plastic surgeon. Meeting the qualifications necessary to earn certification has allowed him to help patients achieve outstanding results for more than 30 years. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Newman's credentials or schedule a consultation, please complete our online contact form or call (203) 656-9999.

Fairfield County Plastic Surgeon Dr. Fredric Newman

DR. FREDRIC NEWMAN MD, FACS

Dr. Fredric Newman's extensive training and experience in plastic surgery began at Yale College, and he completed his general surgical training at Harvard Medical School. He has performed thousands of procedures during his career and is affiliated with a number of top-tier universities and professional associations, including:

  • American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • American College of Surgeons
  • American Board of Plastic Surgery

To schedule a consultation at our Darien, CT, plastic surgery center, contact us online, or call our office (203) 656-9999.

Dr. Newman and his team will continue to provide safe, comfortable, world-class care thanks to their private, free-standing surgical facility. We are here to help you get answers to your questions, plan appointments safely and securely, and eliminate wait times. Consultation over video chat and Skype are available. Schedule your consult today.

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