Plastic surgeons
often perfom medical procedures in their private offices.
Plastic surgeons are specialized medical doctors. Many plastic surgeons provide their cosmetic surgery procedures in private medical facilities as opposed to traditional hospitals. Some procedures offered by plastic surgeons are purely cosmetic such as breast enhancements for otherwise normal and healthy breasts. Some procedures provide medical relief as well such as a nose job that allows the patient to breathe easier.
Education
As medical doctors, state licensed plastic surgeons are required to pass medical school. The University of Michigan Medical school offers a curriculum of four or more years for students interested in becoming a doctor of medicine or MD. Medical school education includes classroom instruction as well as hands-on internships and clinical experience.
Board Certification
The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc, is responsible for certifying plastic surgeons. According to the board, plastic surgeons are eligible for certification if they comply with the moral and ethics standards of the board; can provide proof of solo plastic surgery operations; and have a medical or osteopathic degree from an accredited U.S. school or Canadian school or, for foreign medical school graduates, possess a valid standard certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc, also requires that plastic surgeons complete residency training and pass written and oral examinations. A board certification is not a license to practice medicine.
License
According to the Federation of State Medical Boards, all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia have medical boards that license, investigate, discipline and survey physicians. Plastic surgeons must be licensed in the state they practice in order to legally perform surgical procedures. A license to practice medicine requires successful passage of a national medical exam, medical school graduation, post-graduate training and a satisfactory work history. Physicians, including plastic surgeons, periodically re-register and take continuing education courses in order to maintain a valid medical license.
Duties
The day-to-day activities of a plastic surgeon depends on the plastic surgeon's specialty, such as breast augmentation, face lifts or ethnic rhinoplasty. Common duties across all the different types of plastic surgeons include consulting with patients, monitoring staff members behavior and compliance with the law, performing surgery, following up with patients after the surgery and promoting their plastic surgery practice.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physicians who practice medical specialties---including plastic surgery---earn an annual median income of $339,738. The actual income of individual plastic surgeons varies by location, specialty within plastic surgery and the capabilities and capacity of the practice.
Tags: plastic surgeons, medical school, plastic surgeons, plastic surgery, American Board, American Board Plastic, Board Plastic
