Is becoming a plastic surgeon right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
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How to become a Plastic Surgeon
Becoming a plastic surgeon requires many years of education, training, and hands-on experience to develop the skills needed to perform complex surgeries and improve patients’ appearance or function. Here are the main steps to follow:
- Earn a Bachelor's Degree: Begin by completing a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, or neuroscience. This provides the foundation for medical school and prepares you for the admission process.
- Attend Medical School: Complete four years of medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. During this time, you study the human body, diseases, and treatments, and gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations in various specialties.
- Complete a Residency in Plastic Surgery: After medical school, enter a plastic surgery residency program, which usually lasts five to seven years. During residency, you gain extensive surgical experience, learning to perform both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures under supervision.
- Obtain a Medical License: Pass the required medical licensing exams to legally practice as a physician. This ensures you meet the standards to safely provide medical care to patients.
- Consider a Fellowship (Optional): Some plastic surgeons choose to pursue a fellowship to specialize in areas such as hand surgery, craniofacial surgery, or microsurgery. Fellowships typically last one to two years and provide advanced training in a specific area of plastic surgery.
- Begin Practicing as a Plastic Surgeon: After completing residency and any fellowship, and obtaining licensure, you can work in hospitals, clinics, or private practice. You will perform surgeries, manage patient care, and may also participate in teaching or research to advance the field.
Fellowship
A fellowship is an optional, advanced training program taken after completing a plastic surgery residency. It allows surgeons to focus on a specific subspecialty, such as hand surgery, craniofacial surgery, microsurgery, aesthetic surgery, or burn and reconstructive surgery. Fellowships provide in-depth exposure to complex cases, advanced surgical techniques, and specialized patient care that may not be fully covered during residency.
During a fellowship, plastic surgeons work closely with leading experts in their chosen field, gaining hands-on experience with highly technical procedures. They often manage challenging reconstructive cases, participate in research studies, and may take part in teaching medical students or residents. This combination of clinical work, research, and mentorship helps fellows refine their skills and develop expertise in a specific area of plastic surgery.
Completing a fellowship can enhance a surgeon’s career prospects and allow them to take on more specialized roles in hospitals, academic centers, or private practices. It can also improve patient care by enabling the surgeon to handle complex cases with greater precision and confidence. While not required to practice as a plastic surgeon, a fellowship is a valuable way to deepen knowledge, master advanced techniques, and build a niche specialty within the field.