How Long Does It Take To Become A Plastic Surgeon?

Last Updated on October 6, 2024 by Mozam Iqbal

If you have a keen interest in medical revolutions, have a solid aesthetic and artistic sense and want to become a top-rated plastic surgeon. You’re curious to know how long does it takes to become a plastic surgeon and want to know the education requirements for plastic surgeons. Plastic surgery is one of the most challenging medical fields that need outstanding commitment and patience as it is a time taking process to get a speciality in plastic surgery.

Plastic Surgeons are medical specialists who serve people who want changes in their body parts like nose and lips etc. This field is often beneficial for those who recover from accidents and want to remove the post-effects of accidents or illnesses.

Plastic surgery is one of the most competitive studies and requires arduous work and no doubt it is one of the most highly paid jobs in the whole world. According to Dr Kiya Movassaghi, “Plastic surgery is one of the most challenging specialities a doctor can pursue, but no doubt one of the most rewarding.”

What A Plastic Surgeon Does, And What Responsibilities

Duties as a professional plastic Surgeon are

Skin Oncology
Consultations regarding the surgery
Suggest the best possible treatments
Deal with imperfections like congenital disabilities
Treat the post-effect of injury after an accident.
Reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
Cleft lip and palate surgery
Do prescribe the best way for the modification of a body part.
Collaborate with other doctors for the patient’s successful recovery.
Depending on their specialty, plastic surgeons can work with patients of all ages, from children to adults.

Plastic Surgery As A Career:

When it comes to career, Plastic Surgery is one of the most prestigious jobs in the world. It deals with patients who want some changes in their body parts. Plastic surgeons also deal with bodies that are burnt or infected after cancer. Demands for plastic surgeons are increasing daily, and the younger generation with medical interests is more inclined towards this field.

Based on their practice and experience, plastic surgeons are highly paid. Plastic surgery is a suitable profession for those who want to explore the miraculous aspect of the medical field. It is a splendid field for those who take an interest in the details of every single aspect of things, as it requires great attention to learn the inner mysteries of plastic surgery. Although it takes a long time to become a plastic surgeon, in the end, it is one of the most prestigious and rewarding fields in the medical field.

Education Requirements/How Many Years Are Required To Become A Plastic Surgeon?

Becoming a plastic surgeon requires 12-14 years of education and training under different specialists at different places and in different periods. People often ask what degree do you need to be a plastic surgeon. There are multiple stages involved in becoming a plastic surgeon, and we will discuss these stages one by one and tell you how to become a plastic surgeon in detail.

Stage 1: Get A Bachelor’s Degree

Becoming a licensed plastic surgeon starts with a bachelor’s degree of 4-5 years. Take admission in a pre-medical degree. To get access to a medical institute for a bachelor’s degree, one must clear the MCAT (Medical college admission test). After clearing the MCAT exam, the institutes update a merit list in which they mention the name of the students who fulfill their requirements and meet their criteria.

Stage 2: Obtain 4 Years of Medicine Degree

Getting a degree in doctor of medicine is necessary if you want to do postgraduate training in plastic surgery. This degree comprises four years. In the first two years, you have gained advanced knowledge in different subjects relevant to medical science. For the rest of the two years, you have clinical rotations where you work under medical professionals, coordinate with the patients directly, and get valuable experience.

Stage 3: Acquire A License

If someone wants to practice plastic surgery legally in the United States, he has to acquire a license to become a certified surgeon. You must clear the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), which comprises the concepts of medicine and basic surgery. The U.S. Medical Licensing Examination is divided into three steps. In order to become a certified plastic surgeon, this test is obligatory in the United States.

The USMLE first test is taken when your second year of medical school is ending to test your medical knowledge. The second step is when you have completed your four years in medical school. This exam is mandatory to justify your clinical practice. The third step occurs once you have finished your first year of residency.

Stage 4: Complete The Residency Program

Becoming a plastic surgeon requires a lot of hard work, long commitment and patience. After acquiring the medical degree and license, you now have to complete a six-year residency Program in surgery. This Residency Program is divided into two stages.

The first stage is known as intermediate (ST3-6); you complete a three-year Residency in general surgery, where you get knowledge about advanced and basic surgery. Then the second stage, the Final (ST7-8), involves a three-year residency in plastic surgery. In this stage, you practice under a Certified plastic surgeon. You directly coordinate with the patients and practice to get valuable experience.

Stage 5: Complete The Speciality Training

After completing the Residency Program, one has to meet the Fellowship program, which comprises one year. Several speciality areas of surgery are available, including microvascular reconstruction, hand surgery, and aesthetic surgery.

Additional Certifications

Specific board certifications add value to your credibility as a plastic surgeon. It shows a plastic surgeon’s proficiency level in a particular area of plastic surgery. Different medical boards offer certifications that a plastic surgeons should have to increase their experience and value as a plastic surgeon.

A plastic surgeon should have these certifications that indicate the professionalism of a plastic surgeon. These certificates show that you have accomplished additional training and education in plastic surgery.

In the U.S., “The American board of Medical Certification” (AMBS) and The “American Board of Plastic Surgery Certification” (ABPS) offer different types of certifications. In order to get these certifications, a medical license is necessary; additionally, you have to clear a written examination and an interview.

Conclusive Comments

Plastic surgery is one of the most reputable and respected professions in medical science. People often ask, how long does it take to become a plastic surgeon? It requires long-term patience, commitment and hard work. You have spent 14-15 years becoming a certified plastic surgeon.

If you are a plastic surgeon and want to be successful in this profession, you should have communication and problem-solving skills. Long-lasting stamina, the ability to coordinate with your team, and teamwork play a vital role in successful surgery.