Oftentimes, those who perform cheek augmentation will have certifications in either Plastic Surgery, Surgery and/or Otolaryngology (with a certification in facial plastic surgery.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
Usually, when you hear the term, "board certified", it commonly means being certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or if in Canada, the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).  Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.) can be certified in Plastic Surgery through their Osteopathic Board and also through the ABPS.   Board certification in Plastic Surgery by the ABMS assures that a surgeon has completed his or her residency, is trained in their medical specialty, has practiced their medical specialty for the minimum amount of years, and has taken oral and written exams issued by the respective board.  

"By choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc., you can be assured that the doctor has:

• graduated from an accredited medical school

• has completed at least five years of additional training as a resident surgeon.

• This includes a minimum three-year residency in an accredited general surgery program 

• and a minimum two-year residency in plastic surgery. 

• To become certified, the doctor then must successfully complete comprehensive written and oral exams. 

• Board Certification is a voluntary process.

It [the ABPS] is the only ABMS Board which certifies in the full spectrum of the entire specialty of plastic surgery."   

"Starting January 2002, all certifications will be valid for a period of 10 years.  Requirements for re-certification include:

• A valid primary certificate from The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc

• Completion of the Board's Application for Recertification and required fees.

• A valid, registered, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in every state, territory, or possession of the United States or by a Canadian province, or location in which the Diplomate currently is licensed to practice.

• Verification of professionalism by the completion of an evaluation form of the Diplomate's character and satisfactory performance from the Chief of Surgery or Chief of Staff at the hospitals where the Diplomate practices.

• Evidence of current valid hospital appointments.

• Evidence of accreditation of non-hospital surgical facilities at which the diplomate operates

• Diplomates must provide evidence of successful completion of at least 150 hours of CME programs during the three years preceding the Application for Re-certification. 

• electronically submit a surgical case list covering a six-month period.

• Diplomates must also successfully complete a practice-oriented multiple-choice computer based examination."

The ABPS does not recognize the term, "board eligible."  For more information please see the ABPS Recertification Information Page.

Headquarters:
The American Board of Plastic Surgery
Seven Penn Center, Suite 400
1635 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Telephone: (215) 587-9322
Fax: (215) 587-9622
Website: http://www.abplsurg.org   

The American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto)
"Training programs in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery in the United States are evaluated by the Residency Review Committee for Otolaryngology (RRC), which consists of representatives from the American Medical Association (AMA), the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the ABOto, and are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).  Information concerning approved educational programs can be found in the Graduate Medical Education Directory published by the American Medical Association.

Individuals who entered otolaryngology-head and neck surgery training July 1, 2000 or thereafter must satisfactorily completes a minimum of five years of training, as specified below, in an ACGME-approved program(s):

• At least ONE YEAR of general surgical training,  It is preferred that the general surgical residency be taken prior to otolaryngologic training, but it may not be taken after otolaryngologic training.
• At least FOUR YEARS of residency training in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.  This training must involve increasing responsibility each year and must include a final year of senior experience.  This final year must be spent within the accredited program in which the previous year of training was spent, unless prior approval; is obtained from the ABOto.

All residency training must be completed in a manner acceptable to the director of that residency training program.

The ABOto does not recognize the term, "board eligible."  The ABOto only recognizes if a surgeon is certified or not, there is no in-between.  However, the ABOto will acknowledge if a surgeon is in the process of getting certified." source: The American Board of Otolaryngology Booklet of Information - BOOKLET2002A.PDF (Adobe Acrobat Format)

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) recognizes the ABOto certification.

Headquarters:
The American Board of Otolaryngology
3050 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1700
Houston, Texas 77056 
Voice: 713-850-0399
Fax: 713-850-1104
Website: http://www.aboto.org/ 

The American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS)
There are subspecialties in plastic surgery as well.  Otorhinolaryngologists (or simply otolaryngologists, ENTs) with facial plastic surgery training are often thought of the equivalent of board certified surgeons but for surgery of the face and neck only.   The word, otorhinolaryngology, or the shorter term: otolaryngology, is derived from the root words, otos (ear), rhino (nose) , laryngo (windpipe) and logos (science).  

All this together constitutes a surgeon who can perform surgery on the head and neck and usually these surgeons will hold the subspecialty in Facial & Plastic Surgery of the Head and Neck. American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) is the organization which tests and demands the same criteria of these surgeons as the ABPS but for the face and neck only.

To be certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), a surgeons must:

• "Have completed a residency program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in one of the two medical specialties containing identifiable training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery: otolaryngology/head-and-neck surgery or plastic surgery.
• Have earned prior certification by the American Board of Otolaryngology, the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in otolaryngology/head-and-neck surgery or plastic surgery.
• Have been in practice a minimum of two years.
• Have 100 operative reports accepted by a peer-review committee.
• Successfully pass an 8-hour written and oral examination.
• Hold the appropriate licensure and adhere to the ABFPRS Code of Ethics." source: http://www.abfprs.org 

*The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) does not recognize the ABFPRS certification. 

"The ABOto is authorized to issue subspecialty certificates in Pediatric Otolaryngology, Otology/Neurotology and Plastic Surgery within the Head and Neck. Exams are currently being developed in all areas. No certificates have been issued, and specific dates for administration of these exams are not known at this time." source: http://www.abfprs.org 

Headquarters:
ABFPRS
115C South St. Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703) 549-3223
Fax: (703) 549-3357
E-mail: tshill@abfprs.org
Website: http://www.abfprs.org 

The American Board of Surgery (ABS)
The ABS is an independent, non-profit organization with worldwide recognition. It is one of the twenty-four certifying boards that are members of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).  To be certified by the ABS a physician must have:

• Graduated from an accredited medical school.
• Completed of a surgical residency in an accredited program in the United States or Canada of at least five years duration after medical school.
• Passed an extensive day-long written examination.
• Passed a separate oral examination given by three teams of highly-qualified surgeons to assess the candidate's ability to handle all kinds of surgical problems.

Certification lasts 10 years, after which he or she must pass testing and meet criteria to re-certify.  Beginning January 2002, all Diplomates must have accumulated 100 hours of CME during the two-year period prior to their application for re-certification.   

Source: The  American Board of Surgery

Headquarters:
American Board of Surgery, Inc.
1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 860
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Telephone: (215) 568-4000
Fax: (215) 563-5718
Website: http://www.absurgery.org/ 

The American Osteopathic Association - American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
To become certified by The American Osteopathic Association through the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, an applicant must meet the following requirements:  

• The applicant must have graduated from an AOA accredited college of osteopathic medicine.  
• The applicant must be licensed to practice in the state or territory where his/her practice is conducted. 
• The applicant must be able to show evidence of conformity to the standards set forth in the Code of Ethics of the AOA. 
• The applicant must have been a member in good standing of the American Osteopathic Association or the Canadian Osteopathic Association for the two (2) years immediately prior to the date of certification.
• The applicant must have satisfactorily completed an AOA approved internship.
• The applicant must have evidence of satisfactory completion of previous years of an AOA approved residency training program in general surgery or one of the surgical specialties under the jurisdiction of this Board after the required year of internship. At least one (1) year of the surgery or surgical specialty training program must encompass all aspects of the particular specialty including adequate training in the basic medical sciences, with emphasis on pathology, physiology and osteopathic principles as related to the specialty. The required number of years of residency training in each specialty are as follows:
  • General surgery - four (4) years of training in surgery. Alternate track for surgical sub-specialists certified by this Board, under the jurisdiction of this Board, who commenced training programs prior to January 1,1991.
    • The applicant must have completed three (3) years of formal training in general surgery.
    • Satisfactory completion of the written and oral examinations in general surgery.
  • Plastic and reconstructive surgery - two (2) years of training in plastic and reconstructive surgery following three (3) years of training in surgery, or an AOA approved and completed residency program in orthopedic surgery, or an AOA approved and completed residency in otorhinolaryngology/facial plastic surgery.  
• Each applicant is required to pass a written, an oral and a clinical examination which shall be designed, constructed and conducted so as to evaluate the applicant's understanding of the basic sciences, knowledge of surgical principles and the osteopathic philosophy of surgery as it applies to diagnosis and management of surgical diseases, familiarity with current advances in surgical philosophy and techniques, possession of valid surgical judgment and a high degree of skill in the diagnostic, operative and therapeutic procedures involved in the specialty practices.   
• The clinical exam (part Ill) for certification in general surgery will be waived for those already certified by a three part exam (including a clinical) in thoracic cardiovascular surgery, urological surgery, neurological surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and general vascular surgery provided that:  
  • Documentation is provided of completion of training from the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons or the American Osteopathic Association of a general surgery residency.
  • Both full general surgery written and general surgery orals were completed successfully.

Source: The American Osteopathic Board of Surgery

Headquarters 
American Osteopathic Board of Surgery
3 Mac Koil Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45403
Telephone: (937)252-0868
Toll-free: (800)782-5355
Fax: (937)252-0968
Email: info@aobs.org 
Website: http://www.aobs.org 

American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS)
Although the ABCS is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), ABCS eligibility requires a certification in a medical specialty overseen by the ABMS.  The ABCS will often come up during your search for a surgeon to perform your procedure.  

"If board certification is to be used as a yardstick in determining a surgeon's qualifications, it is important to ask your doctor about his or her credentials and study them carefully. Initial certification by one of the member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), such as the American Boards of Dermatology, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, General Surgery or Plastic Surgery provide some assurance of formal training in the fundamentals of cosmetic surgery.

Some board-certified physicians will then go on to become-board certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, which has established a strict set of criteria to ensure experience and proficiency in cosmetic surgery. A physician certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery must:

• Be board-certified in an original surgical specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.
• Have been in the practice of cosmetic surgery for the past five years.
• Have performed no fewer than 1,000 cosmetic surgical procedures.
• Be currently performing a minimum of 200 documented cosmetic procedures per year.
• Pass a stringent two-day oral and written examination.
• Be of good moral character." 

Source: American Board of Cosmetic Surgery

Board Eligible: What Does It Mean?
Becoming certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) may take years to complete.  Until then the ABMS does not recognize the term, "board eligible."  Some surgeons may use this term to imply that they do meet the criteria to be eligible for examination and possible certification by a particular board, but have chosen not to take the exam and become certified.

If a surgeon does state that he is board eligible, ask for which board and proceed to ask details regarding the criteria pertaining to that particular board.  For instance ask which undergraduate school they went to and what their major was, ask which accredited Medical School they attended and graduated from.  Ask about their residency, their contained medical education courses (CME) and inquire about all the criteria which must be met to even be eligible to be considered for examination.  Although the board still does not recognize the term, with these questions answered you will know if the surgeon has had the medical training and has continued his medical education over the years.

Professional Aesthetic Medicine Societies  
These societies are not required to practice cosmetic plastic surgery, nor do they mean that a surgeon is competent and has a skillful eye.  But, being a member of either of the societies listed below assures that the member meets their criteria for enrollment.  They are thought of as prestigious and impressive, but not necessary.  However, membership assures you that the surgeon meets their stringent criteria.
  

• Be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or, in Canada, by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• Graduation from an accredited medical school
• Five years of residency (usually three years of general surgery followed by two years of plastic surgery residency)
• Two years of post-residency practice
• Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
• complete a total of 150 CME credit hours within every 2-year period to remain a member of the ASPS. 

Source: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons 

Headquarters:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation
444 E. Algonquin Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Toll-free: 1-888-4-PLASTIC (1-888-475-2784)
Website: http://www.plasticsurgery.org 
  

• "Be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or, in Canada, by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada;

• Be in at least the third year of active practice following board certification;

• Participate in accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) to stay current with developments in the field of cosmetic plastic surgery;

• Document the performance of a significant number and variety of cosmetic
  surgical cases to demonstrate wide experience;

• Be sponsored by two ASAPS-member plastic surgeons to help ensure that the applicant's professional reputation meets the high standards required by ASAPS; and

• Adhere to current ethical standards for professional conduct as outlined in the Code of Ethics observed by all ASAPS-member surgeons." 

Source: The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Headquarters:
American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
36 West 44th Street, Suite 630
New York, New York 10036
Tel. 212-921-0500
Fax 212-921-0011
Website: http://surgery.org
 

Additional Organizations

Applicants for Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons are required to have the following qualifications:

• Graduation from a medical school acceptable to the American College of Surgeons.
• Certification by an American Surgical Specialty Board which is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties and which is appropriate to the applicant's specialty practice, or an appropriate specialty certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
• A full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in their respective state or province.
• One year of surgical practice after completion of all formal training. Additional practice time may be required if the practice situation and/or geographic location changes. Exceptions may be granted by the Member Services Liaison Committee.
• A current appointment on the surgical staff of the applicant's primary hospital with no reportable action pending which could adversely affect staff privileges at that or any other health care facility.
• A current practice that establishes the applicant as a specialist in surgery. The degree to which a practice must be restricted to the specialty is to be determined by a responsible College Credentials Committee. The limitation of an applicant's practice to the scope of the designated specialty is an important consideration.
• Interest in pursuing professional excellence both as an individual surgeon and a member of the surgical community. Such interest may be evidenced by membership in local, regional, and national surgical specialty societies; participation in teaching programs and on hospital committees; continuing medical education through attendance at professional meetings, courses, and seminars.
• Ethical fitness as well as professional proficiency as determined by an appropriate College Credentials Committee. This determination is based upon information obtained from Fellows who were consulted as references and from other sources.  

Source: The American College of Surgeons

Headquarters:
American College of Surgeons
633 N. Saint St.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Telephone: (312) 202-5000
Fax: (312) 202-5001
Email: postmaster@facs.org 
Website: http://www.facs.org 

Continued Medical Education (CME)
Many states require that a physician seek a minimum amount of hours before allowing a physician to renew their license.  Check with your individual state's medical or osteopathic board for more information.

Professional Societies also require CME to maintain their membership.  The American Board of Plastic Surgery requires at least 150 hours of CME during the three years preceding the re-certification application to be considered for re-certification.  Even professional societies like the ASPS and the ASAPS require CME to maintain their memberships.  Please see the relevant sections for more information.
  
  

How to Find A Good Surgeon
Patient-to-patient referral is one of the best ways to find an excellent surgeon. Read our discussion forum (message board) and speak with real patients every chance you can get.  Ask to view these patients' before and after photos.  Even in the event of a negative report, you should definitely ask to see before and after photos.  Beauty is subjective, as are cosmetic surgery results.  What may be a bad surgery experience to others, just might be your dream result.  The Internet is full of anonymous people who may very well not even be a real patients, so consider the source.  

Also, the mentality that just seeing a symbol or two on a surgeon's affiliations or memberships section doesn't mean that he is THE doctor for you.  These certifications and associations do not guarantee that the surgeon has the same taste in aesthetics as you,  nor does it imply that you will receive what you are seeking.  Please use all of the information on this page, the next few sections and on our message board to better determine what you may need, what you are looking for and just who is right for you.  

Where to Get Referrals For Qualified Surgeons
Now that you know what to look for, where do you find it?  This part of the process can be very confusing and frustrating.  With the popularity of plastic surgery TV shows and rise in cosmetic surgery cases today, there are physicians everywhere advertising their services.  The Internet is now full of plastic surgery information sites designed simply to get your business and not educate or support you during this very important journey; where do you start??

The CheekAugmentation.com Surgeon Referral Database
You may visit our own referral section for a listing of some of the best surgeons in your general area.  We are very selective of who we list.   Our sponsoring surgeons have been chosen after being repeatedly referred from our own message board members.  We have followed these patients' progress, viewed their photos and spoken with them personally before we even considered reviewing their surgeon to possibly be included.  This is a difficult and time-consuming process, so we do not have all cities or states covered at this time.  This is a good place to start...

The CheekAugmentation.com Message Board & Support Forum
If you cannot find a surgeon with an office nearby in our database, you can use our own Cheek Augmentation & Cheek Implants Discussion & Support Forum to ask for referrals.  The forum is an invaluable tool to gain support and friends to help you through your journey.  By posting for surgeon recommendations on our board, you may get several patients sharing the names of their surgeons.  You more than likely will be able to see their before and after photos and read their journals.  Some patients would rather email their personal information in private so you should create an email address you wouldn't mind posting publicly.  www.hotmail.com is a good web-based email service to use for this matter. 

Ask Within the Medical Field
If you have a friend or relative who works in the medical field, and if you feel comfortable discussing the matter, ask them who is the best scalpel in town.  Ask your general practitioner.  They might know of a good surgeon that you may want to check out, or maybe who to avoid.  Even ask around your gym or salon if you feel comfortable enough, people talk to their hair stylists about everything and many gush about their surgeons.

Magazines and Television: Be Cautious
Appearing on TV or in magazines does not mean that a surgeon is a great one.  Especially with the rise of plastic surgery in the media today.  There have been many surgeons that I would not recommend who have appeared in documentaries, television shows, infomercials, beauty magazines, "Best Surgeons of the Year" magazines and other publications.  Use this media for information, but do not let them make your decision for you.

Communication is Key
Note: For simplicity's sake, whenever the word "he" is used in this document, this may mean either a male or female surgeon.  Communication is a necessary key to having a good doctor-patient relationship.  If you cannot communicate what it is that you desire, how can you expect your surgeon to know what it is that you want or what your expectations are.  Be sure that he is open to your desires and wishes as well as what he may believe is realistic.  This is your body but your surgeon is the one who will be operating. 

Also, please realize that you cannot expect to bring in a photo of another's body parts and say, "make me look like this."  There are definitely results that can be obtained but as a general rule, a surgeon can really only improve what you already have.  If you want more fullness you will need augmentation.  If you want higher cheeks, you may need a cheek lift. You might need a cheek lift and a cheek implant procedure. If you want smaller lower cheeks to help define your malar area, you may need buccal fat removal. However, you should bring photos of what you like and don't like to help convey what your desires are.  You shouldn't expect miracles but you should expect improvement.  And you should definitely expect proper care, treatment and empathy.  Remember that you are, in essence, the paying client, you essentially interview the surgeons for a job although this is more important as this is your health and well being. 

Communication is a very important aspect of surgery.  Please don't be afraid to speak up.  Besides your surgeon needs your input. Go into a surgeon's office with an idea of what it is you want.  Explain these desires to your surgeon then listen what he has to say about what he thinks he can achieve realistically.