What kinds of degrees should a plastic surgeon have?

Certainly your plastic surgeon should have the letters M.D. (Medical Doctor) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) after his name. He might even have one or more master's degrees (M.S., M.P.H., M.B.A. or M.A.), but these degrees are irrelevant to plastic surgery. He might also have a Ph.D., impressive but again irrelevant medically. Patients are well advised to select a plastic surgeon with the letters F.A.C.S. (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after his name. These letters are awarded only to surgeons who are certified by one of the surgical boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. Any other letters must be carefully scrutinized. I have seen people use letters from medical societies and virtually self-made societies. Some of the letters are awarded after completion of weekend courses! Most of the time, the multi-lettered doctors are not real plastic surgeons. I have even seen doctors who joined the International College of Surgeons just so they could add F.I.C.S. (Fellow, International College of Surgeons) to their names.