Dr. Hopping holds:
- American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABO-HNS) — An ABMS-recognized board. This is his foundational specialty (ENT training), which includes extensive knowledge of head and neck anatomy, facial surgery, and airway management.
- American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) — Requires prior certification in either Otolaryngology or Plastic Surgery + additional focused training/experience in facial procedures + rigorous written and oral exams + case logs. Highly respected for face, nose, eyes, and neck work.
- American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) — Focuses specifically on cosmetic procedures of the face, breast, and body. Requires prior surgical training + a dedicated cosmetic surgery fellowship (or equivalent extensive experience) + written and oral exams.
- American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS) — The primary specialized board for hair transplant surgery. Requires documented surgical experience (case logs), written and oral exams focused exclusively on hair restoration, and ongoing standards.
How These Compare to the Standard “Plastic Surgery” Certification
|
Board |
Focus |
Training Path |
ABMS Member? |
Strengths |
Limitations |
|
American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) |
Full-body plastic & reconstructive surgery (face, breast, body, hands, burns, etc.) |
6+ years ACGME plastic surgery residency |
Yes (the gold-standard ABMS board for plastic surgery) |
Broadest training; strongest recognition for general plastic surgery |
Less specialized in pure facial work or hair restoration compared to dedicated boards |
|
ABFPRS (Dr. Hopping has this) |
Face, head & neck only |
Otolaryngology or Plastic Surgery residency + facial plastics focus + exams + case logs |
Not ABMS, but widely recognized as equivalent by state boards |
Deep facial expertise |
Does not cover body procedures |
|
ABCS (Dr. Hopping has this) |
Cosmetic procedures of face, breast & body |
Prior surgical residency + cosmetic fellowship (or high-volume experience) + exams |
No |
Strong focus on aesthetic (cosmetic-only) surgery |
Less rigorous residency requirement than ABPS; not ABMS-recognized |
|
ABHRS (Dr. Hopping has this) |
Hair restoration surgery only |
Surgical background + significant documented hair transplant experience + specialized exams |
No |
Highest specialized standard for hair transplants |
Narrow scope (hair only) |
|
ABO-HNS (Hopping has this) |
Head & neck surgery (ENT) |
5-year Otolaryngology residency |
Yes |
Excellent foundation for facial anatomy and surgery |
Not a pure plastic surgery board |
Key Takeaways
- Most traditional plastic surgeons hold only the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This is the single most widely recognized and rigorous board for full-body plastic surgery.
- Many facial specialists (especially those from an ENT background) hold the ABFPRS in addition to (or instead of) ABPS. This is considered a strong credential specifically for face, nose, eyelid, and neck procedures.
- Dr. Hopping’s combination is uncommon. Holding ABFPRS + ABCS + ABHRS + ABO-HNS means he has layered specialized credentials in facial aesthetics, overall cosmetic surgery, and hair restoration on top of strong head-and-neck surgical training.
- The ABPS remains the only ABMS board specifically for plastic surgery. Some plastic surgery organizations emphasize this distinction, and view non-ABMS boards (such as ABCS) as less rigorous.
Bottom line: Dr. Hopping’s four certifications reflect a dual path — deep facial/ENT expertise plus specialized cosmetic and hair restoration credentials — rather than the single broad plastic surgery pathway (ABPS) that most general plastic surgeons follow. This combination is particularly well-suited for patients seeking facial rejuvenation, rhinoplasty, or hair restoration. Visit The Center for Cosmetic Surgery & The Washington Hair Institute.
