Alternatively you can verify a surgeon's certification over the phone by calling 1-866-ASK-ABMS  (or 1-866-275-2267). Both of these options are provided to you at no charge so feel free to utilize this service.

State Licensure Verification
This is an entirely different matter.  Ascertain that your surgeon's medical license is valid by either writing the medical board for your state or by visiting your state's online license verification programs such as can be found on the State Medical Boards Section of this site.  Some state medical board websites show if three has been a disciplinary action issued by the state.

Check Your Surgeon's Background For Disciplinary Actions, Suspensions, and Revocations
A good source of information regarding disciplinary action can be found by visiting the above link on our website and inquiring with the state medical board - or several states' medical boards.  Also you may visit www.docinfo.org for more information.  Although there is a fee for this service at that particular website, knowing is as beneficial to the patient for the health of their body, as is the peace of mind it may give you.

Malpractice Lawsuits: Read In It's Entirety
This is a very scary subject for many people.  Unfortunately today there are plenty of mediocre surgeons who go into practice and many frivolous lawsuits as well which cloud us from making educated decisions for ourselves.  This is also a very difficult area to research - it takes many, many dedicated hours of effort. 

There are wonderful surgeons who have been sued and there are shoddy surgeons who haven't been sued - yet.  It is certainly enough to scare us in to hiding when seeking the right doctor for our surgery.  If you do find that your surgeon has been involved in a recent lawsuit, inquire as to why.  Hearing one side of the story often isn't fair but you have a right to know unless there is a specific gag order regarding the details. However the gag order is usually regarding the amount settled, not why.  Just know that anyone can file a lawsuit (even the surgeon) at anytime, whether they have reason or not.

Please also know that lawsuits should not be, but are, filed because the results were not what the patient expected or if something unforeseen (undiagnosed medical conditions, anesthesia complications, etc.) arose.  Most cases must prove negligence to be viable but there are winning cases where no negligence is proven.  Negligence is where a case where the attending surgeon(s) administered care which was substandard in that particular medical community/specialty (plastic surgery).  And unfortunately it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine the cases where the patient was a victim from the ones where the victim turned out to be the surgeon - these cases should be addressed and considered before your choosing to undergo surgery.  Like I said, most surgeons will NOT tell you if they have been involved in a lawsuit although you do retain the right to ask, especially with recent suits.

• You can go to the courthouse for the county in which your surgeon practices and perform a search for litigations, arbitrations, trials, etc in the "civil index". You can ask the county clerk for specific instructions and etiquette on how to do this as this office is where this information is usually held.  Some courts ask that you pay a fee for copies of the documents. Please also know that it is quite possible that malpractice information may be found instead at the Superior Court Office.

• You can contact the Department of Insurance (D.O.I). for your own state (or states for which your surgeon has been licensed and/or practice in.  Just know that not all states are created equal - in fact you may not get anywhere at all in your own state.  If not, ask your surgeon if you feel comfortable.  Ask whether or not he carries malpractice insurance, although you may detect a note of uneasiness in the room once you ask this question regardless of possible guilt.

• You may also seek the services of private and semi-private firms such as www.WestLaw.com, www.USLaw.com 

• Even "Find Out Anything About Anyone" Websites such as KnowX.com (free & pay per search) may have information.  Just be careful, you may only find out that what you thought was going to be "juicy" information, is a simple divorce.