Board certified vs. only Fellowship trained

Would you use a fellowship trained highly recommend cosmetic surgeon that is not Board certified?

I do have a consult with him but am a little concerned about him not be board certified. I have seen examples of his work and the patients look great. And he does come highly recommended to me.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

The first thing I'd want to know is how long has he/she been practicing. I have worked in a medical school for 29 years and we hire physicians all the time that are not yet board certified but have completed fellowships.  Generally they are all great and have just not yet taken the exam. 

Sometimes its a matter of timing or finances.  Those exams including the travel can be quite expensive. 

Yes, I would consider a fellowship trained plastic surgeon who has a good track record.

Good luck! 

Alice

I think I would consider them too if they are also in a practice that included board certified so that they have a more experienced person to consult with, and I would want to know that he/she is working towards board certification.  You have to be in practice so many years before you can take the test and have examples of cases worked on. 
My plastic surgeon works with a very prestigious residency program at a university in the greater LA area. The residents that I've dealt with have been extremely knowledgeable and they have worked with my doctor doing my surgeries - observing, assisting with some of the underlying suture, etc.  They do have to get that training somewhere.  I did receive a lesser rate than other surgeons quoted me and I believe this is why.

I have no experience with plastic surgeons yet, but my WLS doc was fresh out of his fellowship when he did my surgery. I was his 1st patient in the office, and second on the table when he started his own practice. I was a little nervous with him being "new" however, the fact that he specialized in WLS, and his complete attention to me (he gave me his PERSONAL cell phone number!)  made me feel much better.