Plastic Surgeon

                          Plastic Surgeon

Duties and Responsibilities:

A plastic surgeon is a medical doctor who reconstructs and repairs physical defects in all areas of the body, including the skin and skeletal system. Physical defects might be caused by nature, illness or an accident. However, many patients seek the assistant of a plastic surgeon simply out of vanity. This professional works to improve the cosmetic appearance of patient.

Salary:

$264,000 - $527,000

Education:

Most prospective plastic surgeons complete undergraduate degrees prior to attending medical school. Although bachelor's degrees in any major are acceptable, premedical students must complete certain prerequisite courses, including chemistry, biology and physics. The first two years of medical school, referred to as the preclinical years, teach students the fundamentals of body systems, diseases and patient care. The final two years are the clinical years and place students in healthcare facilities to perform clinical rotations. Surgery is a required rotation and some schools offer clerkships in plastic surgery. After graduating from medical school, individuals typically have two options when selecting residency programs. Some schools offer combined general and plastic surgery programs that last around six years, while others offer 2- or 3-year plastic surgery residencies independently and require individuals to first complete at least three years in general surgery residencies. Residency programs incorporate training in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery while allowing residents greater independence than that of medical students. Plastic surgeons who wish to work in subspecialties, such as hand or head and neck surgery, will then need to undergo fellowships. These programs typically last one year and provide more narrowly focused training with increased responsibility in treatment program management. Fellows also have opportunities to conduct research.