It takes many years of hard,Plastic Surgeon Santa Ana CA often night-time work to become a plastic surgeon, even though it is a highly sought-after specialty. The first steps are typically during the pre-operative period, which lasts several weeks before the actual surgery. During this time an incision is made to make a vaginal or abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck) easier. The actual surgery is performed during the recovery period. This article offers information on how plastic surgeons get certified as well as some details about after care.
In order to become a plastic surgeon, a bachelor's degree is required at an accredited medical school and several additional years of post-graduate residency. It also takes many years of unsupervised, hands-on training in an accredited residency to become an actual plastic surgeon, although many cosmetic surgeons have started their education through on-the-job training to perform simpler procedures. In fact, there is only one authorized course for the U.S. by the Board of Plastic Surgery. It takes many years of rigorous training, both hands-on and in the classroom, to successfully complete the pre-operative residency.
While you can obtain a license after completing your residency, that doesn't mean you're finished. It's actually possible to take even more medical school, get certifications and then perform more procedures. Many plastic surgeons choose to continue their education in either an accredited medical school or a specialty field such as pediatrics or surgery. If you want to perform general surgery, you'll need additional education, including a fellowship in that specialty.
Once you've finished your training and you're licensed, your job as a plastic surgeon will be to provide expert witness and counsel to patients who have undergone cosmetic surgery. You'll help set up financing and handle all the patient care details. It's up to the surgeon to make sure that the process is followed and the patient is fully recovered before proceeding. You may even travel to different locations to perform cosmetic surgery under the supervision of the surgeon who performed the procedure. For example, a breast augmentation surgery could require you to travel to a center in another state.
You'll also perform a variety of jobs once you graduate from medical school. You may become a specialist in a particular area of medical care, such as reconstructive surgery. If you're interested in teaching, you could train as a pediatrician or anesthesiologists. A medical school career as a plastic surgeon allows you to branch out into numerous fields of medical care.
Some plastic surgeons even open their own practices. Typically, these doctors will do craniofacial surgery, dental surgery, and ear surgery. You can also find specialists in several other areas, including endocrinology, dermatology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, rheumatology, and even rehabilitation. There are even locums available at clinics, as well as positions in research and development. If you want to specialize in any of these specialties, your doctor will likely tell you what you need to do to prepare for your position.
Once you've completed your medical school degree, you may be able to find employment as a resident in a surgical practice. This gives you the chance to gain additional experience and hone your skills while working with people. The most common post-residency positions held by plastic surgeons include chief resident and senior resident, or PR and DS. Your PR or DS job will give you the opportunity to conduct research and oversee various medical specialties.
Many plastic surgeons choose to have further specialized training after graduating from medical school. These may include a fellowship in reconstructive surgery, or PRK or DS surgery. All these positions require further training after patients are discharged from the hospital, but this is usually not required for most cosmetic or reconstructive plastic surgery residencies. Many plastic surgeons choose to continue their education by participating in a Master's degree program.