How hard is it to become a plastic surgeon?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

It is very hard to become a plastic surgeon, and it can take 14 years or more to do so. Plastic surgeons face all of the challenges unique to becoming any kind of doctor. These include passing the MCAT and graduating from medical school, which are extremely difficult endeavors.

Here are the steps to becoming a plastic surgeon after graduating from medical school:

Complete a three or more year residency in general surgery
Complete a three-year residency specifically in plastic surgery
Gain additional residency training for any sub-specialties, which can also take three years or more

Plastic surgeon residency programs are intense and usually consist of 100+ hour work weeks. You are also on call at any time during the day or night.

To become an independent plastic surgeon after completing your residency programs, you must have proof of active plastic surgery practice; this includes nine months or more case history.

You must also have completed all comprehensive oral and written examinations needed. Re-testing is required every 10 years to retain board certification.

To excel in the field of plastic surgery, you should also seek to become a member of specific plastic surgery organizations. Plastic surgery is an extremely competitive field, and anything you can do to stand out, you should.

These organizations have very strict requirements that include:

Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
You must be performing plastic surgery in a fully accredited and state-licensed facility
Must be able to provide proof of the highest medical ethics standards
Must be able to provide proof that you are continuing your medical education
You must be able to present documentation of no less than 75 completed aesthetic surgery cases