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A facelift surgeon should be board-certified by a recognized specialty board that requires surgical training in facial and neck surgery. The two main examples are the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Ideally, the surgeon also has fellowship training in facial cosmetic surgery. Beyond certification, look for extensive facelift experience and an accredited surgical facility.

Holcomb-Kreithen Plastic Surgery & MedSpa offers patients both credentialing pathways. Dr. J. David Holcomb is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He has practiced in Sarasota since 2000. Dr. Marc Salzman, a fellowship-trained plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, brings more than 30 years of experience.

This guide explains which credentials matter when choosing a surgeon for facelift surgery in Sarasota, Tampa, or anywhere else, and how to verify them before your consultation.

Which Board Certifications Matter for Facelift Surgery?

The board certifications that matter most for facelift surgery are those built on residency-level surgical training in the face and neck.

Three boards are especially relevant:

  • American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS): Certifies plastic surgeons trained in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and body. According to ASPS, the ABPS is recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
  • American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: Certifies surgeons whose residency centers on the head and neck. It is also an ABMS member board.
  • American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS): A certification dedicated exclusively to facial plastic surgery of the face, head, and neck.

ASPS also cautions patients not to be confused by official-sounding boards, noting that no ABMS-recognized certifying board has "cosmetic surgery" in its name. Certification from a board that requires rigorous surgical training is the baseline to look for.

Plastic Surgeon or Facial Plastic Surgeon? Two Proven Training Paths

Plastic surgeons and facial plastic surgeons are both qualified to perform facelifts. The difference lies in the scope of their training:

  • Plastic surgeons train across the entire body
  • Facial plastic surgeons complete residency in head and neck surgery and then focus on the face

Factor

Plastic Surgeon

Facial Plastic Surgeon

Residency focus

Surgical training followed by plastic surgery

Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery

Primary board

American Board of Plastic Surgery

American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Additional credentials

Plastic surgery fellowship, FACS

ABFPRS certification, facial plastic surgery fellowship

Procedure scope

Face, breast, and body

Face, nose, and neck

At Holcomb-Kreithen

Dr. Marc Salzman

Dr. J. David Holcomb

Patient satisfaction is high on both paths. A 2024 study in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery analyzed 2,153 facelift reviews. Otolaryngologists earned five-star ratings in 92.31% of reviews, and plastic surgeons in 91.43%.

The Training Behind a Board-Certified Facelift Surgeon

A board-certified facelift surgeon has completed years of supervised surgical training after medical school.

ASPS lists the standards its member surgeons meet:

  • Board certification by the ABPS or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • At least six years of surgical training after medical school, including a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency
  • Passing comprehensive written and oral exams
  • Graduation from an accredited medical school
  • Continuing medical education each year, including patient safety
  • Performing surgery in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified facilities

Dr. Salzman's training reflects this model. He earned his medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine, where he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He then completed a general surgery residency at Mount Sinai in New York City and a plastic surgery fellowship at Duke University.

Dr. Holcomb took the facial plastic surgery route. He completed a surgery internship and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. An advanced cosmetic facial plastic surgery fellowship through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) followed.

What Do MD, FACS, and Fellowship Titles Mean?

MD, FACS, and fellowship titles each tell you something different about a surgeon's background. Knowing what they mean makes it easier to compare surgeons:

  • MD: A medical degree. It is required for every physician, but does not indicate surgical specialty training.
  • FACS: Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a designation for surgeons who meet the college's standards for training and professional conduct. Dr. Salzman holds this designation.
  • Fellowship-trained: The surgeon completed additional specialized training after residency, such as Dr. Holcomb's AAFPRS fellowship in cosmetic facial plastic surgery.
  • Fellow of a specialty academy: A professional membership level in a specialty society. Dr. Holcomb is a Fellow of the AAFPRS, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.
  • Board certified vs. board eligible: Board certified means the surgeon has passed the board's exams. Board-eligible means the surgeon has completed training but has not yet earned certification.

How Does Surgeon Experience Affect Facelift Satisfaction?

In the 2024 Aesthetic Plastic Surgery study, 92.24% of 2,153 facelift reviews were positive. Bedside manner (49.80%) and aesthetic results (47.83%) were the most common primary reasons patients gave for a positive experience.

Specialty training made a visible difference. Facelifts performed by physicians outside plastic surgery, otolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and ophthalmology earned five-star ratings only 61.73% of the time. The authors linked this gap to the value of facelift-specific expertise.

Regular practice builds that expertise. According to the AAFPRS 2024 member survey, nearly 90% of AAFPRS members perform facelifts each year. Dr. Holcomb has performed thousands of surgical procedures and offers several facelift techniques:

Red Flags to Watch For When Checking a Facelift Surgeon's Credentials

Certain warning signs suggest a surgeon may not have the training a facelift requires. Watch for:

  • Certification from a board that is not ABMS-recognized or does not require residency-level surgical training
  • Vague answers about where and how the surgeon trained in facelift surgery
  • Few or no before-and-after photos from the surgeon's own facelift patients
  • Surgery performed in a facility without accreditation or state licensure
  • Pressure to book quickly, or pricing that seems far out of line with the procedure

Any one of these is worth a follow-up question. Several together are a strong reason to keep looking.

How to Verify a Facelift Surgeon's Credentials

Verifying a facelift surgeon's credentials takes only a few minutes with free public tools:

Your consultation is the next step. These questions help confirm what the records show:

  • Which board certified you, and in what specialty?
  • Where did you complete your residency and fellowship training?
  • How many facelifts do you perform each year?
  • Which facelift technique do you recommend for me, and why?
  • Where will my surgery take place, and how is that facility accredited?
  • May I see before-and-after photos of your facelift patients?

Why Facility Accreditation Matters for Facelift Safety

Facility accreditation confirms that a surgical center meets recognized standards for safety and care. ASPS includes operating in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified facilities as one of the standards its member surgeons must meet.

Most facelifts at Holcomb-Kreithen take place in the practice's AAAASF-accredited outpatient surgery center in Kane Plaza in downtown Sarasota. The surgeons also hold privileges at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Hospital.

During planning, Vectra 3D imaging lets patients preview anticipated results before surgery.

Learn More About Facelift Surgery in Sarasota and Tampa With Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Salzman

Board certification, specialized training, and real facelift experience are the credentials that protect both your safety and your results. Holcomb-Kreithen Plastic Surgery & MedSpa is a Castle Connolly Practice Center of Excellence, and Dr. Holcomb and Dr. Salzman bring recognized training in facelift surgery to Sarasota and Tampa.

Dr. Holcomb is a Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor, a published author, and a past president of the Florida Society of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Salzman is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, a past president of the Kentucky Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a two-time Clinical Educator of the Year at the University of Louisville. To meet with either surgeon, schedule a consultation at our Sarasota or Tampa office by calling (941) 348-1243.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.

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