how to become a cosmetic surgeon

A plastic surgeon is a surgery specialist that works with cosmetic aspects of the human body, as well as body reconstruction.

In this page, learn what do plastic surgeons do, how to become a plastic surgeon by completing the required educational qualifications and how much do plastic surgeons make.

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What Do Plastic Surgeons Do?

Plastic surgeons perform cosmetic surgeries that alter the form or appearance of part of a patient’s body. Plastic surgeons also perform reconstructive surgeries for patients who have injuries from a car crash or other accident or for those with congenital disabilities.

Within this branch of medicine, there are several sub-specialties. An aspiring plastic surgeon can specialize in specific body parts.

• The first type of plastic surgeon specializes in Head, Face, and Eyes related surgeries only. This type of plastic surgeon performs a facelift, brow lift, eyelid lift, ear pinning, ear reshaping, hair replacement surgery, nasal surgery, nose reshaping (example: fixing the deviated septum), lip augmentation and craniosynostosis.
• The next sub-specialty within Plastic surgery focuses just on Mouth and Teeth only. Refer to Oral and maxillofacial surgery for more details.
• A plastic surgeon for breasts performs breast augmentation, breast reconstruction, breast reduction in men, and breast lift.
• A plastic surgeon for the abdomen performs surgeries on the stomach or abdomen areas, such as liposuction and abdominoplasty.
• The hand and limb plastic surgeons specialize in hand and upper limb reconstruction surgeries.
• A plastic surgeon for skin specializes in surgeries related to the skin only. The skin surgeries include a chemical peel, dermabrasion, injectable collagen fillers, botox, glycolic peels, laser peels, vein removals, scar revision, and tattoo removal.

How to become a Plastic Surgeon?

To become a plastic surgeon, one should:

• Graduate high school with a high GPA.
• Complete a so-called “pre-med” Bachelor’s degree with courses in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Math, including laboratory practice.
• Volunteer in different settings, preferably related to the medical field.
• Pass the Medical college admission test (MCAT).
• Obtain a medical degree at a licensed medical school (requires 4 years of training, including internship) or osteopathic school.
• Pass the 3 stages of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE).
• Choose a pathway for residency:
  • An integrated pathway that lasts for 6 years and includes:
    • 1-2 years of general surgery.
    • 4-5 years of specialized training in plastic surgery.
  • An independent pathway includes:
    • 3 years of residency in general surgery, neurosurgery, ENT surgery, ophthalmology surgery, or another related field.
    • Board certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties, American Osteopathic Association, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery.
    • 3 years of specialized residency training in plastic surgery.
• Get certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery/American Board of Plastic Surgery.
• Join a fellowship in Cosmetic surgery.
• Join a fellowship in asubspecialty:
  • Breast reconstruction.
  • Craniofacial surgery.
  • Microvascular surgery.
  • Hand surgery.
  • Burn surgery.