When you go to see a doctor, you expect a competent physician who has received thorough training and has been sufficiently tested in his area of specialisation. Under normal circumstances, this is the case.

Exception: "self-appointed plastic surgeons".

There are only two titles in Germany that stand for a truly sound qualification; they are legally protected and include the appropriate exams.

"Specialist in Plastic Surgery" short "Plastic Surgeon"

or additional training "Plastic Operations".

The at least 6-year-long advanced training that leads to the title Specialist in Plastic Surgery begins after graduation from Medical School with the award of the medical license. In this advanced education stage, the physician has to carry out approx. 600 surgical interventions, single-handedly, under supervision by an experienced Plastic Surgeon.
After having gathered this practical experience and having completed the theoretical advanced education, the doctor has to pass the specialisation exam given by the local Chamber of Physicians. Only after this does (s)he officially receive the title "Specialist in Plastic Surgery". This specialisation appellation gives patients the certainty that the doctor was trained to deal with clinical patterns from the area of plastic surgery as well.

The additional title "Plastic Interventions" can be obtained by ORL specialists and by oral and facial surgery specialists. This type of advanced education includes, beside the theory, a comprehensive practical experience and takes two years to complete. The additional qualification relates in each case only to the local area of specialisation.

You as a patient should trust only these titles, "Specialist in Plastic Surgery" and the additional title: "Plastic Interventions".

Other titles, such as "Cosmetic surgeon", "Beauty surgeon", "Aesthetic surgeon" do not represent protected appellations in Germany, and any doctor can use them. The lawmakers do not require doctors to get a special advanced education to use them.

This means that in this country any physician who has a medical license can call himself/herself a cosmetic surgeon, and indulge in filthy lucre, snipping away at your body without any theoretical knowledge or any practical experience. You would be a paying guinea pig.


The Professional Associations

Doctors advertise their membership in one of almost two dozen Associations or Unions, which bear the words "plastic" or "aesthetic" in their names. On the outside, this makes them look serious and competent. But some of these associations' goals are predominantly the marketing of certain methods. Read up on these things to make sure that there are actual plastic or aesthetic-plastic surgeons behind these flamboyant names.

The Association of German Plastic Surgeons (VDPC) for instance, admits only plastic surgeons as members. The Association of German Aesthetic-Plastic Surgeons (VDÄPC) has emanated from the VDPC and has the same admission requirements. All other professional associations will admit less qualified physicians as well.