About

The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons has been established by plastic surgeons that specialize in body contouring surgery specifically for patients that have lost significant amounts of weight through non-surgical means such as diet or exercise or through the various bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass and lap band surgery. ASBPS's goal is to help you find a knowledgeable and experienced plastic surgeon. Its members are all certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and most are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery or the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons.

ASBPS

After severe weight loss, either as a result of bariatric surgery, by a gastric bypass or lap-band procedure, or other non-surgical means, you are faced with a new problem, namely, the excess skin that remains. You may be unprepared for this. The weight loss may have cured several medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, but a new set of physical problems is left. Instead of being overweight, you have a deflated body or face.

Either you accept this reality or you look to find a plastic surgeon to fix it. These face and body contouring procedures can be more complicated than even the initial bariatric surgery, and require a thoroughly trained plastic surgeon, one who is not only familiar with these operations, but also is qualified to perform them, and whose practice is geared to your special needs. Plastic surgeons, who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, can meet these criteria, and only these plastic surgeons are allowed to become members of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons.

In order to become Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, a doctor, after completing medical school, must first train, usually, as a general surgeon. During this residency period, which lasts several years, they are taught how to care for bariatric patients, and likely perform gastric bypass and lap-band operations. They also participate in the metabolic and nutritional care before and after these operations.

This general surgery residency qualifies the doctor to enter one of only about 100 plastic surgery residency programs, located primarily within large university medical centers. During these succeeding several years, the doctor is exposed to the full range of reconstructive and cosmetic facial and body contouring procedures, and becomes extremely familiar with all aspects of these patients’ care. After completing this plastic surgery training period, they finally become qualified to first, take a lengthy written examination and then, if they pass this, an oral one where they are required to present cases that they have themselves treated.

After this lengthy training process, they become Diplomates and are Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons! Only then are they qualified to become members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The members of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons come solely from these ranks. Our members distinguish themselves by their experience, and devoting a large portion of their plastic surgery practices to weight loss patients and your unique needs.

We, the members of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons are here to assist you in completing your journey. Our members, who can be found on our website and are located in your area, can guide you through these final phases of your process. We encourage you to seek out plastic surgeons that are members of American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons. Look for the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons’ logo!