What Is Board Certification?
Board certification means a surgeon has gone above and beyond the minimum requirements to legally practice medicine. It’s an additional, voluntary process that proves a physician has undergone extensive training and passed rigorous written and oral exams in their specialty.
In plastic surgery, the gold standard is certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) for plastic and reconstructive surgery.
This certification process includes:
- Graduation from an accredited medical school
- Completion of 6–8 years of surgical residency, including plastic surgery
- A multi-year fellowship in subspecialty training (like microsurgery)
- Passing extensive exams in safety, ethics, anatomy, and surgical judgment
In short, it proves your surgeon didn’t just take a weekend course. They dedicated nearly a decade to mastering their craft — and they’re held accountable to the highest standards in the industry.
Why It Matters More Than You Think
In many states — including Arkansas — any licensed physician can legally perform cosmetic procedures. That means someone who is board-certified in dermatology, OB/GYN, or even internal medicine can offer cosmetic surgery without ever completing plastic surgery training.
When you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon, you’re choosing someone who:
- Knows how to handle complex anatomy and high-risk procedures
- Is trained in aesthetics and function — not just one or the other
- Has hospital privileges (which require certification and oversight)
- Has passed strict ethics, safety, and surgical performance standards
At ARBRA, our patients’ bodies, safety, and long-term outcomes are never compromised. That’s a non-negotiable.
Our Credentials, Your Confidence
Dr. Kasia Kania is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and a fellowship-trained microsurgeon. She doesn’t just meet the standard — she raises it. Her background includes advanced training in:
- Microsurgical breast reconstruction (DIEP flap)
- Complex revision surgery
- Aesthetic breast and body surgery
- Reconstructive techniques after cancer or trauma
Patients choose ARBRA because they know they’re not just in qualified hands — they’re in expert hands. And in a surgical field where outcomes directly impact your quality of life, expertise matters.
How to Check If Your Surgeon Is Board Certified
Want to check a surgeon’s certification? You can do so easily online:
Visit www.certificationmatters.org
Or search the American Board of Plastic Surgery database at www.abplasticsurgery.org
Don’t be afraid to ask directly during your consultation:
“Are you board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?”
Any surgeon worth trusting will answer with confidence.
Don’t Settle When It Comes to Your Body
Your body is not something to gamble with. Whether you’re preparing for breast reconstruction after cancer, revision surgery after a poor outcome, or considering a mommy makeover — board certification is your baseline, not a bonus.
At ARBRA, we don’t cut corners, rush consults, or make promises we can’t deliver. We provide world-class surgical care with compassion, clarity, and integrity.
Book a Consultation With Our Board-Certified Team
If you’re ready to move forward with a plastic surgeon who values both excellence and empathy, we invite you to meet our team and learn more about your options.
Located in Springdale, Arkansas, ARBRA serves women throughout Northwest Arkansas who are ready to feel whole, confident, and supported through every step of the surgical process.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get the answers — and the care — you deserve.
Click here for our consultation form : Here
