The most important factor in a successful outcome isn't the procedure itself — it's who performs it. A qualified facial plastic surgery specialist in New Jersey should hold facial-specific board certification, operate almost exclusively on the face and neck rather than the whole body, and be able to show a real track record of volume and outcomes.
At the Glasgold Group Plastic Surgery in Princeton, NJ, Dr. Mark Glasgold and Dr. Robert Glasgold are both double board-certified facial plastic surgeons with over two decades of exclusive focus on the face, and in this blog, they break down exactly what separates a genuine specialist from a general cosmetic provider.
What Board Certification Actually Means
Board certification is the single clearest signal of a surgeon's training, but not every certification carries the same weight. Any licensed physician can legally perform surgical procedures and advertise as a "cosmetic surgeon," even though the American Board of Medical Specialties does not recognize that term. That gap is exactly why patients need to look past the word "surgeon" and check which board actually issued the credential.
For facial procedures specifically, the credential to look for is certification from the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). To earn it, a surgeon must:
- Complete a residency approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery or plastic surgery
- Already hold prior certification in one of those specialties through the American Board of Medical Specialties
- Present at least 100 surgical cases in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery for peer review, for each of the previous two years
- Pass a separate, dedicated examination focused solely on facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Operate in an accredited surgical facility
In other words, ABFPRS certification sits on top of a surgeon's initial board certification rather than replacing it, which is why Dr. Mark and Dr. Robert Glasgold each hold certification from both the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. That double certification confirms both a foundational surgical residency and additional, facial-specific expertise.
Why Specialization Matters More Than a Broad Practice
A surgeon who limits their practice to a handful of procedures typically develops a deeper level of precision than one who offers everything from breast augmentation to body contouring. Dr. Mark Glasgold has described this philosophy directly: when he, his brother, and their father became surgeons, each made a deliberate choice to specialize rather than generalize, and then narrowed that focus even further so patients could count on the highest level of expertise in a select group of procedures.
At the Glasgold Group, that means Dr. Mark Glasgold concentrates on deep plane facelifts and aging-face rejuvenation, while Dr. Robert Glasgold focuses on deep-plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and facial fat transfer. Neither performs more than one surgery a day, a scheduling choice built around giving each patient full, undivided attention rather than moving through a high-volume surgical calendar.
Why Surgical Volume and Experience Matter
Training establishes a baseline; the number of times a surgeon has actually performed a procedure is what refines results over time. Because relevant experience matters, prospective patients should ask to see actual before-and-after photos of a surgeon's own work rather than stock or borrowed images.
Concrete numbers are useful here. Dr. Mark Glasgold has personally performed more than 1,000 deep plane facelifts over the past two decades, and Dr. Alvin Glasgold, the practice's founder, once completed more primary and revision rhinoplasties in a single month than many facial plastic surgeons perform in an entire year. That kind of repetition, on a narrow set of procedures, is a more reliable predictor of consistent results than years in practice alone.
Fellowship Training and Continued Education
Formal fellowship training adds a further layer of vetting beyond board certification. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) is the world's largest specialty association for facial plastic surgery, representing more than 2,700 surgeons and holding an official seat in the American Medical Association's House of Delegates. AAFPRS also accredits fellowship programs that train the next generation of facial plastic surgeons.
Dr. Mark Glasgold and Dr. Robert Glasgold serve as co-directors of one of these AAFPRS-accredited fellowship programs, through which they have mentored more than 25 facial plastic surgeons, including Dr. Clara Lee, who trained under them before joining the Glasgold Group. A surgeon who teaches within an accredited fellowship program is regularly vetted by peers in the specialty, not just certified once and left unchecked.
How to Evaluate Before-and-After Photos and Patient Reviews
Photos and reviews are useful, but only if read critically rather than taken at face value.
- Look for consistency across many cases, not just a handful of dramatic transformations
- Watch for results that look natural and proportionate to the patient's other features, rather than uniformly "done"
- Read reviews for specifics about communication and follow-up care, not just the final result
- Confirm the surgeon operates in an accredited or state-licensed surgical facility, since these are inspected regularly to meet surgical safety standards
Glasgold Group patients consistently describe natural-looking outcomes and attentive follow-up. One rhinoplasty patient wrote that Dr. Robert Glasgold was attentive, patient, and thorough throughout the process, while a facelift patient noted that Dr. Robert Glasgold followed up multiple times after surgery to confirm she was stable and satisfied with her results.
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
A consultation is the best opportunity to verify credentials directly and gauge whether a surgeon's approach fits your goals. Worthwhile questions include:
- Where did you complete your residency, and is it ACGME-accredited?
- Are you certified by the ABFPRS, and if so, in addition to which primary board?
- How many times have you personally performed this specific procedure?
- Where will the surgery take place, and is that facility accredited?
- What complications have you seen with this procedure, and how do you manage them?
At the Glasgold Group, Dr. Mark and Dr. Robert Glasgold spend significant time at each consultation answering these kinds of questions, walking patients through computer imaging and realistic expectations before finalizing any surgical plan.
Why Choose the Glasgold Group for Facial Plastic Surgery in New Jersey
Patients searching for a facial plastic surgery specialist in New Jersey are choosing a practice with more than 50 years of continuous, single-family leadership. Founded in the 1960s by Dr. Alvin Glasgold, an original board member and examiner of the ABFPRS, the practice has been carried forward by two sons who each built additional decades of exclusive facial-surgery experience on top of that foundation.
Dr. Mark Glasgold and Dr. Robert Glasgold have both been named Castle Connolly Top Doctors for five consecutive years, a distinction based on peer nomination rather than paid advertising. Combined with their AAFPRS fellowship co-directorship, double board certification, and one-surgery-per-day model, that record gives patients a way to verify expertise well beyond a practice's own marketing claims.
Facial Plastic Surgery Specialist FAQ
Is a facial plastic surgeon different from a general plastic surgeon?
Yes. A general plastic surgeon is trained across the whole body, while a facial plastic surgeon, particularly one certified by the ABFPRS, has pursued additional training and examination focused specifically on the face, head, and neck.
What's the difference between board certified and board eligible?
Board certified means a surgeon has completed all requirements and passed the certifying exam. Board eligible means a surgeon has finished the required training but has not yet completed or passed the certification exam, which can be a meaningful distinction to clarify at a consultation.
Does board certification guarantee a good result?
No certifying board, including the ABFPRS, guarantees competency or results on its own, which is why certification should be treated as one factor among several, alongside experience, specialization, and a surgeon's own body of work.
Ready to Meet With the Glasgold Group?
Choosing the right facial plastic surgery specialist comes down to verifiable credentials, real surgical volume, and a genuine narrowing of focus, and Dr. Mark Glasgold and Dr. Robert Glasgold meet all three at their Princeton, NJ practice. To discuss your goals directly with a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, schedule a consultation with the Glasgold Group today.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Outcomes, risks, and suitability vary from patient to patient.
Sources
- American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Certified Diplomates Requirements
- American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2010 Annual Report
- American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, AAFPRS Professionals
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Selecting Your Plastic Surgeon
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Why Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
