Did you know that any surgeon can call himself a cosmetic surgeon? It's true and there's nothing to regulate it. Maybe you think that because he is a surgeon, he should be qualified to perform any procedure. The problem is that an ob/gyn attends a couple of weekend seminars on tummy tucks and then starts adding that to his practice for new mothers. While he may be an expert at delivering babies and performing caesareans, that does not mean he is ready for the intricacies of cosmetic surgery.

Another danger is when you don't verify a "cosmetic surgeon's" credentials. If he doesn't have the proper board certification and license to practice, there may be something shady in his past like a malpractice suit. What happens is a surgeon moves to a different state to start over leaving behind damages and even death. Don't be an unsuspecting victim of his corporate practice and dangerous procedures.

You have to be proactive about your safety if you are thinking about cosmetic surgery. This means doing your homework and not being afraid to ask questions. The first thing you should do is verify that your potential surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS). This is important because if he holds certification in General Surgery, but that is not the same thing. Now, many surgeons are certified in both and that is a bonus for you as a patient. He should have diplomas and certificates hanging in his office, but ask if you don't see them. You can also find all of this information on his Web site. The seals from his boards, licenses, accreditation and memberships should be prominently displayed somewhere on the site.

Just having board certification with the ABPS ensures that he attended an accredited medical school, received the necessary degrees and passed additional practical and oral exams. It also requires renewal of certification with required continuing education requirements. Already you see that those weekend seminars are sub-par training for a surgical procedure.

Membership in professional organizations is another measure of his credibility. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is one of the most prestigious organizations and is further testament to the rigorous testing. To become a member, he must be certified by the ABPS.

You also want to put his facility to the test, especially if he performs his procedures in a surgical suite. To ensure that safety measures are in place, equipment is up to date and the facility adheres to strict standards of cleanliness, it must be certified by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Healthcare or with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Fly-by night surgeons can lead to dangerous procedures leaving you injured, maimed or even dead. With just a little bit of digging, you can save yourself a lot of heartache. The right physician can change your life, but so can the wrong one.