What is the breast augmentation procedure? For millions of women in America every year, it’s a ticket to a higher self-esteem level and increased sexual satisfaction. That’s according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, which recently found that women tend to show a 34% boost in their sex lives post-surgery — and it’s not just the women investing in breast implants, either. Breast lift procedures are now beginning to outnumber augmentations by a rate of 2 to 1.

But on a more scientific level, augmentation refers to the procedure of re-sizing the breasts using either saline or silicone implants. A breast lift, on the other hand, is a bit like Botox for the breast in that it tightens up the skin allowing for a more youthful appearance. Both of these surgeries can be performed by doctors anywhere, though you’ll typically get more security out of opting for a board certified breast augmentation surgeon. But what makes a doctor “board certified” anyway? For starters, that means that the doctor has…

Graduated from an accredited medical school.

Before you ever decide if having breast implants is right for you, you’ll want to ensure your doctor began his or her studies in an appropriate institution. Every board certified plastic surgeon spent four years in undergraduate study, then four additional years at an accredited medical school. Simply put, no one can be a doctor without completing med school this way, which is why it’s important that you, the patient, know your prospective surgeon’s academic credentials before you trust him or her with your procedure.

Completed six years of additional training.

Just like every other medical profession, cosmetic surgeons need to endure a post-med school residency program, and for most, that program will be at least six years long. To be certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, doctors need to put in this time devoted to understanding the different parts of the body and seeing how they’d do in a surgical setting. This is where the difference between a “plastic” surgeon and a “cosmetic” surgeon comes into play — the latter being more on the side of elective appearance-enhancing procedures and the former referring mostly to correcting birth defects.

Successfully passed a certification exam.

If you’re interested in having breast implants, you might not particularly care about the specifics of your surgeon’s schooling, but you should. As the ASPS puts it, the board certification doesn’t automatically make the doctor a great surgeon, but it tells you, the patient, that he or she has completed all the steps necessary to achieve the best training in his or her specialty. The exam is the last step in the process and will separate who passes and becomes board certified and who doesn’t.

For more information on a potential surgeon’s academic and professional credentials, consult one. Whether you’re investing in having breast implants or simply looking to tighten up your tummy, you’ll have piece of mind knowing exactly what to expect from a board certified surgeon. More like this blog.