Halcy Research · Plastic surgery · Companion to Plastic Surgery Practice

What ChatGPT tells patients looking for a plastic surgeon

Name: Halcy ChatGPT plastic surgery answers, May 2026
Creator: Halcy
Published: 2026-10-30
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Nearly every answer raised board certification, and most also raised procedure experience, consultation advice, before-and-after photos and facility accreditation. Which of them came up depended on what the patient asked.

The data behind “What ChatGPT checks before it recommends a plastic surgeon” in Plastic Surgery Practice: 298 answers from GPT-5.5 with web search, collected May 13–18, 2026, across 20 U.S. metros.

answers raised board certification: 297 of 298
answers cite ASPS, ABPS or ABMS: 279 of 298
of 2,825 citations go to those three bodies: 23.6%

The checklist

Fourteen things the answers raised, ranked by how often

Procedure experience and consultation advice came up almost as often as certification; before-and-after photos and facility accreditation in about three answers in four. Open a row to read what ChatGPT wrote and the page it cited.

01Board certificationABPS; ASPS patient information and directory29799.7%

Verify ABPS certification before booking surgery.

Find a surgeon · Dallas–Fort Worth · cited abplasticsurgery.org/public/verify-certification/VerifyCert?section=SurgeonSearch

and recommends checking board certification in the correct field

Condition question · Seattle · cited aafprs.org/AAFPRS/Find-A-Surgeon/Home.aspx

02American Board of Plastic Surgery namedABPS; ASPS27592.3%

Look for a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery — ABPS.

What to look for · San Diego · cited theaestheticsociety.org/patient-resources/how-to-choose-a-plastic-surgeon/qualifications

You can verify credentials through the American Board of Plastic Surgery

Comparison question · Denver · cited abplasticsurgery.org/public/verify-certification/VerifyCert?section=SurgeonSearch

03Procedure volume or subspecialty focusASPS; American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; American Academy of Dermatology27391.6%

how many procedures of this type they have performed, and what risks are involved.

How to choose · Dallas–Fort Worth · cited plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety/?sub=Questions+to+Ask+Your+Plastic+Surgeon

At consultations, ask how many breast implant procedures they do yearly

Where to get a procedure · New York · cited fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/breast-implant-surgery

04Consultation or second-opinion adviceASPS; FDA26990.3%

ASPS recommends asking about the surgeon’s training, board certification, facility accreditation, procedure risks, recovery, and expected outcomes during consultation.

What to look for · San Diego · cited plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety/?sub=Questions+to+Ask+Your+Plastic+Surgeon

verifying credentials, and then scheduling consultations rather than rushing the choice

How to choose · San Francisco · cited prod.theaestheticsociety.org/patient-resources/how-to-choose-a-plastic-surgeon/finding-a-surgeon

05Before-and-after photosASPS patient information and directory; ABPS22976.8%

reviewing before/after photos of patients with similar anatomy, age, and goals

What to look for · Phoenix · cited plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/finding-the-best-plastic-surgeon-for-you

compare before/after galleries for noses similar to yours

Best for a procedure · San Diego · cited rhinoplastysociety.org/understanding-certification

06Accredited surgical facilityASPS; ABPS; Medical Board of California22174.2%

Ask whether the procedure is performed in an accredited facility

Find a surgeon · Dallas–Fort Worth · cited plasticsurgery.org/Documents/About/What-Is-An-ASPS-Plastic-Surgeon.pdf

Also confirm the surgery will be done in an accredited/licensed/Medicare-certified facility.

Find a surgeon · Chicago · cited abplasticsurgery.org/public/verify-certification/VerifyCert?section=SurgeonSearch

07Professional society membershipASPS patient information and directory; American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery20769.5%

Start with ASPS or The Aesthetic Society directories, but verify independently

What to look for · Philadelphia · cited find.plasticsurgery.org/?city=philadelphia

08State license or disciplinary checkABPS; California and Texas medical boards16154.0%

Also check the doctor’s state license/discipline history

Where to get a procedure · New York · cited healthweb-back.health.ny.gov/professionals/doctors/conduct/license_lookup.htm

Also check the state medical license where you’ll be treated

Symptom question · Chicago · cited illinois.gov/services/service.physician-profile-search.html

09Another certifying board namedASPS; ABPS; American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery9632.2%

For facial plastic surgeons, the ABFPRS site has a surgeon finder and certification lookup.

Comparison question · Dallas–Fort Worth · cited abfprs.org

10Hospital privilegesASPS patient information and directory; ABPS8026.8%

Ask: “Do you have hospital privileges to perform this exact procedure? At which hospital?”

What to look for · Phoenix · cited plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety/?sub=Questions+to+Ask+Your+Plastic+Surgeon

ASPS describes hospital privileges as a sign the surgeon meets hospital standards for patient care.

What to look for · Phoenix · cited plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/finding-the-best-plastic-surgeon-for-you

11Reviews or star ratingsRealSelf; Washington attorney general6622.1%

So verify credentials and look closely at real-world results, not just star ratings.

Best for a procedure · Seattle · cited atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-files-lawsuit-against-seattle-based-plastic-surgery-clinic-bribing

Be careful relying only on Google/RealSelf reviews.

Cost question · Seattle · cited atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-plastic-surgeon-must-pay-5-million-illegally-manipulating-consumer

12Third-party ranking or awardNewsweek; Boston magazine6321.1%

ABMS Certification Matters tools rather than relying on ads or “top doctor” lists alone.

Comparison question · Washington, D.C. · cited plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/facelift/candidates

If I were shortlisting for myself, I’d book 2–3 consults rather than pick from rankings/reviews alone.

Best for a procedure · Philadelphia · cited plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/breast-augmentation/surgeon

13Years in practiceRealSelf; ASPS; practice websites5719.1%

filter by zip code, procedure, language, gender, years in practice, and payment methods.

Where to get a procedure · Dallas–Fort Worth · cited prod.theaestheticsociety.org/patient-resources/how-to-choose-a-plastic-surgeon/finding-a-surgeon

14Fellowship trainingPractice websites; American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery4715.8%

often ENT/head-and-neck trained, with facial plastic fellowship training

Comparison question · Washington, D.C. · no citation on this line

The other mentions describe a surgeon or a training program ChatGPT named, so they aren’t quoted here.

Counts include advice to check a criterion and statements about named surgeons. They describe what the answers said; they are not weights that explain why ChatGPT chose a particular name.

How the question changes the checklist

What the answers raised depended on what the patient asked

A criterion could appear in nearly every answer to one kind of question and fewer than half of another. Condition or symptom questions drew the fewest mentions of photos, facilities and hospital privileges.

Cells show the share of answers in each question group that raised the criterion, with the count beneath.
Criterion	Procedure104 answers	Condition or symptom86 answers	Best, top-rated or find47 answers	How to choose or compare61 answers	Swing
Board certification	100%104/104	99%85/86	100%47/47	100%61/61	1 pt
American Board of Plastic Surgery named	92%96/104	85%73/86	98%46/47	98%60/61	13 pts
Procedure volume or subspecialty focus	87%90/104	92%79/86	91%43/47	100%61/61	13 pts
Consultation or second-opinion advice	98%102/104	80%69/86	79%37/47	100%61/61	21 pts
Before-and-after photos	90%94/104	44%38/86	79%37/47	98%60/61	54 pts
Accredited surgical facility	87%90/104	40%34/86	89%42/47	90%55/61	50 pts
Professional society membership	65%68/104	64%55/86	77%36/47	79%48/61	15 pts
State license or disciplinary check	44%46/104	40%34/86	70%33/47	79%48/61	39 pts
Another certifying board named	40%42/104	20%17/86	19%9/47	46%28/61	27 pts
Hospital privileges	15%16/104	5%4/86	51%24/47	59%36/61	54 pts
Reviews or star ratings	21%22/104	7%6/86	34%16/47	36%22/61	29 pts
Third-party ranking or award	17%18/104	9%8/86	47%22/47	25%15/61	38 pts
Years in practice	20%21/104	10%9/86	36%17/47	16%10/61	26 pts
Fellowship training	21%22/104	8%7/86	9%4/47	23%14/61	15 pts

Procedure · 104Where can I get [procedure]? Who is the best for [procedure]? Who does [procedure]? How much does [procedure] cost? Where should I go?

Condition or symptom · 86I’ve had [symptom]. What kind of doctor should I see? I have [condition]. What plastic surgeon should I see? What is the best plastic surgeon for [condition]? I need help with [condition]. Recommend a plastic surgeon.

Best, top-rated or find · 47Who is the best plastic surgeon? Find me a plastic surgeon. What are the highest-reviewed practices? Who are the top-rated plastic surgeons?

How to choose or compare · 61How do I choose a plastic surgeon? What should I look for when picking one? Compare the top practices. [Procedure] vs [procedure]: which do I need and who does it?

The three largest differences

Before-and-after photos54-point difference

How to choose or compare98% · 60 of 61
Procedure90% · 94 of 104
Best, top-rated or find79% · 37 of 47
Condition or symptom44% · 38 of 86

Hospital privileges54-point difference

How to choose or compare59% · 36 of 61
Best, top-rated or find51% · 24 of 47
Procedure15% · 16 of 104
Condition or symptom5% · 4 of 86

Accredited surgical facility50-point difference

How to choose or compare90% · 55 of 61
Best, top-rated or find89% · 42 of 47
Procedure87% · 90 of 104
Condition or symptom40% · 34 of 86

Show all 14 by question groupHide the full table

Shade steps of 20%, lightest 0–19%

Share of each question group’s answers that raised the criterion, with the count.
Procedure104 answers	Condition or symptom86 answers	Best or top-rated47 answers	How to choose61 answers
Board certification
100%104/104	99%85/86	100%47/47	100%61/61
American Board of Plastic Surgery named
92%96/104	85%73/86	98%46/47	98%60/61
Procedure volume or subspecialty focus
87%90/104	92%79/86	91%43/47	100%61/61
Consultation or second-opinion advice
98%102/104	80%69/86	79%37/47	100%61/61
Before-and-after photos
90%94/104	44%38/86	79%37/47	98%60/61
Accredited surgical facility
87%90/104	40%34/86	89%42/47	90%55/61
Professional society membership
65%68/104	64%55/86	77%36/47	79%48/61
State license or disciplinary check
44%46/104	40%34/86	70%33/47	79%48/61
Another certifying board named
40%42/104	20%17/86	19%9/47	46%28/61
Hospital privileges
15%16/104	5%4/86	51%24/47	59%36/61
Reviews or star ratings
21%22/104	7%6/86	34%16/47	36%22/61
Third-party ranking or award
17%18/104	9%8/86	47%22/47	25%15/61
Years in practice
20%21/104	10%9/86	36%17/47	16%10/61
Fellowship training
21%22/104	8%7/86	9%4/47	23%14/61

Procedure · 104Where can I get [procedure]? Who is the best for [procedure]? Who does [procedure]? How much does [procedure] cost? Where should I go?

Best, top-rated or find · 47Who is the best plastic surgeon? Find me a plastic surgeon. What are the highest-reviewed practices? Who are the top-rated plastic surgeons?

How to choose or compare · 61How do I choose a plastic surgeon? What should I look for when picking one? Compare the top practices. [Procedure] vs [procedure]: which do I need and who does it?

What ChatGPT cited

A quarter of the citations went to three professional bodies

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) together supplied 666 of 2,825 citations and appeared in 279 of the 298 answers. ASPS’s Find a Surgeon directory alone was cited 125 times, in 71 answers.

Source	Citations	Share of all 2,825 citations	Answers citing
American Society of Plastic Surgeonsplasticsurgery.org	491	17.4%	235 of 298
of which Find a Surgeon directoryfind.plasticsurgery.org	125	4.4%	71 of 298
American Board of Plastic Surgeryabplasticsurgery.org	141	5.0%	137 of 298
American Board of Medical Specialtiesabms.org, certificationmatters.org	34	1.2%	33 of 298
ASPS, ABPS or ABMS combined	666	23.6%	279 of 298
Other recurring sources
State medical boards and licensing agencies	113	4.0%	80 of 298
RealSelf	101	3.6%	31 of 298
Newsweek rankings	82	2.9%	27 of 298
Birdeye	58	2.1%	7 of 298

Share counts each citation; answers citing counts each answer once. The combined row counts each answer once even when it cites more than one of the three.

One answer, traced

One recommendation, and the checks it left to the reader

Asked about excess belly fat in Houston, ChatGPT named five surgeons. Here is what it showed for the first, and what it left the reader to check.

The link beside the recommendation is a directory

The citation is ASPS’s Houston directory page, a listing rather than an individual credential lookup. The entry pairs it with the practice’s own description of its body-contouring work.

The credential check is an instruction

ChatGPT links the ABPS verification tool and describes what a Texas Medical Board profile contains, but shows no result for any surgeon it named. Both checks are left to the reader.

Four of the seven consult questions are checklist rows

Certification, facility accreditation, procedure volume and before-and-after photos: rows 01, 06, 03 and 05 of the checklist above.

Read the answer excerptHide the excerpt

The question · Houston, May 2026

“I have excess belly fat. What plastic surgeon in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX should I see?”

Short answer: I’d book 2–3 consultations, not just one. For excess belly fat in the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land area, my shortlist would be:

1. [Surgeon’s name], MD — [Practice name], Houston/Cypress
Strong option if you may need tummy tuck + liposuction/body contouring. He is listed in the ASPS Houston directory, and his practice specifically describes tummy tuck/liposuction body-contouring work. find.plasticsurgery.org

Entries 2–5: four more surgeons in Sugar Land, The Woodlands and Houston/Cypress, each cited to a practice website or an ASPS city directory.

Before booking surgery, verify current American Board of Plastic Surgery certification and Texas Medical Board license/disciplinary history yourself. ABPS says its tool verifies whether a surgeon is certified, and the Texas Medical Board profile includes license status, education, disciplinary actions, and reported malpractice jury awards. abplasticsurgery.org

Questions to ask at each consult:

Am I a better candidate for liposuction, tummy tuck, or both?
Is my fat mostly subcutaneous or visceral?
Are you ABPS-certified in plastic surgery? Checklist 01
Is the facility accredited, and who provides anesthesia? Checklist 06
How many tummy tucks/lipo cases do you do per year? Checklist 03
Can I see before/after photos of patients with a body like mine? Checklist 05
What is the total cost, including anesthesia, facility, garments, revisions, and follow-up?

Verbatim excerpt with the surgeon’s and practice’s names withheld and formatting simplified. Also omitted: a recommendation by area that names all five surgeons again, a paragraph on visceral fat before the consult questions, and the closing paragraph on choosing a surgeon.

Check your own practice

Give patients a way to find the information

These steps are professional judgment drawn from the questions we observed. We did not test whether changing a website changes ChatGPT’s recommendations.

Review a surgeon biography and one procedure page together.
If the biography says the surgeon is board-certified, name the board and give the reader a way to find the relevant record.
Describe the surgeon’s work with the procedure in terms the practice can support. A list of services alone gives a reader little help understanding which operations the surgeon focuses on.
On the procedure page, explain where surgery takes place and give an accurate account of the facility’s accreditation. If the practice uses several locations, say which information applies. Have the surgeon and practice manager confirm the details before correcting anything that’s missing or out of date.

Prefer a report? Run the free visibility scan to see how your practice shows up on Google and ChatGPT. No account needed.

Common questions

Questions about this study

Want to discuss the findings?

Talk to us for an audit of your website and visibility on Google and ChatGPT. We’ll show you where competitors are ahead and what to work on first.

Does board certification get a surgeon recommended?

This study can’t say. Certification came up in 297 of 298 answers, usually as advice to check it, so it appears whether or not a particular surgeon is named. The counts describe what the answers said; they don’t explain why ChatGPT chose a name.

Which certifying board does ChatGPT name?

The American Board of Plastic Surgery, in 275 of 298 answers. Another board appeared in 96, most often the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, then otolaryngology and the American Board of Surgery. A board counts when ChatGPT named it; the study does not judge whether a credential fits a procedure.

Does ChatGPT cite the ASPS Find a Surgeon directory?

Yes. find.plasticsurgery.org was cited 125 times, in 71 of the 298 answers, or 4.4% of all citations. In the Houston answer it was the link beside the recommended surgeon.

Will editing my website change what ChatGPT says about my practice?

We did not test that. The study describes 298 answers collected in May 2026; it does not measure the effect of changing a practice’s information. The steps above are professional judgment.

Methods and caveats

Study methods and limitations

Model: GPT-5.5 with web search
Collected: May 13–18, 2026
Answers: 298
Question types: 16, in 4 groups
Metros: 20 U.S.
Second coding: 30 answers, blind

Design

Each answer was coded against a fixed 14-item checklist, and every positive code is backed by a verbatim quote found in the answer. A second coder re-coded a seeded 30-answer sample blind. Codes that first came in under κ 0.8 were given decision rules and re-coded across all 298 answers; disagreements on any code still under κ 0.8 were settled by a third coder. The source analysis counted 2,825 citation events and grouped them by domain.

Limitations

The study is descriptive: it records what the answers said, not why a surgeon was named. A mention counts whether it was advice to check a criterion or a statement about a named surgeon. It covers one platform in one collection window, and answers vary between runs. It does not measure clinical quality, patient decisions or the effect of changing a practice’s information.

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Disclosure. Halcy is a commercial service; the practices we work with pay for these deployments. We ran this corpus for our own product development and publish it so practices can audit their own AI presence regardless of any vendor relationship.

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