How to Become a Plastic Surgeon

Do you enjoy both science and art? Do you feel particularly rewarded by work that produces results you can see? Do you have a desire to help people feel good about themselves? If so, the field of plastic surgery may be a possible career for you. .This page will walk you through the steps involved in how to become a plastic surgeon.
Tips on Becoming a Plastic Surgeon
1. Get a good academic base in high school
2. Volunteer or job shadow
3. Emphasize math and science in college
4. Maintain a GPA over 3.0
5. Take the MCATS during your junior year

Introduction
- A plastic surgeon performs reconstructive procedures and cosmetic surgery. Training as a plastic surgeon requires that you first become trained as a general surgeon.American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS): About ASPS After completing your general surgery residency, you'll need to complete specialized plastic surgery training and pass additional exams to become board certified as a plastic surgeon.
Step 1: Prepare in High School
- While your formal medical training usually won't begin until after you've received a bachelor's degree, you can position yourself for acceptance to a pre-medical program while in high school.
(Creative Commons photo by ReubenInStt)
1. Focus on the highest-level math and science courses that are offered, making sure to emphasize biology, chemistry, and physics.Peterson's: Prepping for Med School in High School
2. Consider taking science courses at a local community college if your high school doesn't offer higher-level science classes.Peterson's: Prepping for Med School in High School
3. Shadowing a plastic surgeon, or volunteering in his office, is a good way to become acquainted with the field.Peterson's: Prepping for Med School in High School
Step 2: Obtain Your Bachelor's Degree
- Medical schools generally require a four-year college degree, with a GPA of at least 3.0.Med School Ready: GPA MCAT Although a formal pre-med major is not required by medical schools, they do generally require a number of science courses, including psychology, biology, physics, chemistry, and organic chemistry, among others.
1. Take liberal arts courses as well. Medical schools look for well-rounded applicants.AAMC: Considering Medical School
2. Plan to take the MCATs during your junior year of college.Med School Ready: GPA MCAT
3. Begin applying to medical schools near the end of your junior year.
4. Continue to volunteer in situations that give you medical experience, as this will help you present a strong application for medical school.
Step 3: Attend Medical School
- The four years you'll spend in medical school will lay the foundation of knowledge that you'll need when your surgical training begins after graduation.
(Creative Commons photo by a.drian)
1. The first half of your training will consist of classroom work. Expect to take a course load that will educate you on topics such as pharmacology, anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, psychology, microbiology, pathology, immunology, histology and medical ethics.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physicians and Surgeons Training
2. In addition to class work, during the second half of medical school you'll begin clinical rotations in various specialties, gaining exposure to internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry in addition to surgery.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physicians and Surgeons Training
3. While in med school, you'll also take parts one and two of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). The first exam is given in your second year, with the second coming in your final year of med school.USMLE: Test Content & Practice Materials
Step 4: Complete a Residency
- After you graduate from medical school and receive your Doctor of Medicine degree, you're ready to begin work. Your first job will be a residency, where you will complete your training by working with licensed physicians. During your residency, you will receive hands-on training from experienced doctors with the goal of mastering the six surgical core competencies: medical knowledge, patient care, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice.American College of Surgeons: Successfully Navigating the First Year of Surgical Residency There are two different paths prospective plastic surgeons can follow to complete their residencies.American College of Surgeons: The Surgical Specialties: Plastic Surgery
Independent Model
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The independent model consists of two distinct periods of residency, which may be completed at two different institutions.
1. The first three years of your residency will usually follow the same program that someone aspiring to be a general surgeon goes through.American College of Surgeons: The Surgical Specialties: Plaastic Surgery
2. The first three years of residency can also be completed in otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, urology, thoracic surgery, or colorectal surgery.American Board of Physicain Specialties: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Board Certification Exams
3. Instead of completing the fourth and fifth years of the general surgery residency, however, the doctor completes two to three years of a specialized plastics residency.American College of Surgeons: The Surgical Specialties: Plaastic Surgery
4. At least one of the plastics years must be at the senior or chief resident level.American College of Surgeons: The Surgical Specialties: Plastic Surgery
Integrated Model
The Residency Review Committee (RRC) for Plastic Surgery has also approved an integrated model, in which a plastics residency is begun immediately after graduating from medical school.American College of Surgeons: The Surgical Specialties: Plastic Surgery
1. The program is generally five to six years in length.American College of Surgeons: The Surgical Specialties: Plastic Surgery
2. The resident is supervised by a plastic surgery program director throughout the program.American College of Surgeons: The Surgical Specialties: Plastic Surgery
3. There must be 24 months of concentrated plastics training.American College of Surgeons: The Surgical Specialties: Plastic Surgery
4. Any transfer to another institution's program must be prior to the last two years of the residency.American College of Surgeons: The Surgical Specialties: Plastic Surgery
5. The resident must spend one year as chief resident.American College of Surgeons: The Surgical Specialties: Plastic Surgery
- After completing either path to residency, the doctor is eligible to take the national board exams in plastic surgery and apply for a state license to practice.American Board of Physicain Specialties: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Board Certification Exams
Conclusion
- After completing college, medical school, and a plastics residency, and after passing a number of exams, the plastic surgeon is equipped to help repair congenital or traumatic disfigurements, or to assist people in feeling better about themselves by performing cosmetic enhancements. Although many years of training are required, the field is lucrative. The annual salary for plastic surgeons ranges from $300,000 to almost $800,000 a year.AAMC: Careers in Medicine: Plastic Surgery