Like all medical doctors, plastic surgeons are well-versed in patient interaction, trauma care and standard surgical protocol; they also possess specialized skills in the form of tissue transfer, body remolding and laser surgery. The profession is a demanding one, requiring years of schooling and long hours. However, with the intense workload comes excellent benefits, both emotional and monetary in nature.
Job Description
Plastic surgeons seek to remedy injured or misshapen/deformed body parts for either cosmetic or functional purposes. Surgeries can range from correcting birth defects to removing tattoos. Plastic surgeons are responsible for reviewing the patient's medical history and overall condition, as well as communicating any potential risks associated with the surgery. They employ sterile instruments and equipment to perform operations using established surgical techniques.
Specialties
While plastic surgery itself is a surgical speciality, there are also several subspecialties within the field. These include hand surgery, craniofacial surgery, skin malignancy surgery, cosmetic surgery and breast reconstruction. The majority of plastic surgeons elect to specialize, but all are knowledgeable in treating head, neck and torso congenital problems, managing burns, replacing fluids and breast surgery.
Education Requirements
Popular majors for those pursuing a career in the medical field include biology and chemistry, though medical schools maintain that they will consider any major for admission. After obtaining a bachelor's degree, aspiring plastic surgeons must graduate from an accredited medical school with a four-year medical degree that is either an MD or DO. Then, plastic surgeons must complete their residency, which is typically a five- to six-year endeavor. The first three years of training are devoted to general surgery, while the culminating two to three are specialized in plastic surgery. After their residency, plastic surgeons can elect to pursue a fellowship to further hone their skills in a specialized area; others choose to venture abroad and volunteer their time.
Compensation and Benefits
Besides the emotional benefit of helping people feel better about their external appearance, a more tangible benefit for plastic surgeons in the United States is an average base salary of $317,846. However, this number varies according to factors such as experience, location and employee credentials. The country's highest-paid plastic surgeons tend to be concentrated in cities like Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. The middle 50 percent of U.S. plastic surgeons earn in the vicinity of $257,450 to $398,645. As far as benefits for plastic surgeons go, they are typically awarded about $17,568 in bonuses, and also receive compensation in the form of social security (average allotment: $11,490), disability insurance ($3,358), health care ($5,722), pension ($11,270) and time off ($43,910).
Job Outlook
Job prospects for plastic surgeons are expected to grow, following a demand across the United States for improved medical care. In addition, more so than at any other time in history, more patients are needing, or at least desiring, plastic surgery. Not only will job openings arise due to employment growth, but plastic surgeons will be needed to replace those who retire between 2006 and 2016.
