Whether you are thinking about becoming a plastic surgeon or are considering having plastic surgery, it’s helpful to know the requirements and steps that plastic surgeons have to do to become certified. Knowing the rigorous training and certifications that are required to become a plastic surgeon in Utah or any other state can help patients feel at ease that their doctor will take good care of them.
Plastic surgeons are medical doctors who have special training in molding or reshaping specific regions of the body to improve their appearance and functionality. In addition to performing cosmetic surgery to improve a person’s appearance, they can also help repair damage done by accidents or diseases and fix inborn problems like cleft palette and other deformities.
Education
Many plastic surgeons and other doctors major in biology or chemistry for their bachelor’s degree, but they can choose any major they want as long as they complete the necessary prerequisites to get in to medical school.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree, plastic surgeons must earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from an accredited medical school. This means 4 years of education and training including classroom study and clinical experience in hospitals and health clinics.
Residency & Fellowship
After medical school, plastic surgeons complete a medical residency. Generally this consists of 3 years in general surgery training and 2-3 years in plastic surgery training. After finishing their residency, plastic surgeons have to pass an examination to become board certified. They can then choose to do a fellowship to specialize in a subfield of their choice.
Certification
There are a few organizations that certify plastic surgeons, including the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Each of these organizations evaluate the training and skills of potential plastic surgeons and administer written and oral exams to verify that they are qualified to be a plastic surgeon.
Personality
In addition to completing the required education and certification programs, plastic surgeons have to have the dedication and intelligence to perform highly technical procedures. They must also have a welcoming personality to communicate well with patients in both understanding the patient’s needs and in communicating to the patient the options.
