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what does a typical day in the life of a plastic and reconstructive surgeon look like?
high school student looking into becoming a plastic surgeon #premed #doctor #medicine #surgeon #surgery
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Richard’s Answer
Clinic: Evaluate patients prior to surgery. Explain the options including alternative to surgery. Follow up with patients after surgery looking for possible complications.
OR: Perform the surgery with a team including scrub techs, nurses and anesthesiologists.
Rounds: Evaluate patients who are admitted to the hospital before and after surgery.
ER: take calls from ER doctors who are consulting for possible surgical admission. Depending on the subspecialty, plastics call can be pretty light. One example of the need for urgent plastic surgery consultation is hand trauma.
OR: Perform the surgery with a team including scrub techs, nurses and anesthesiologists.
Rounds: Evaluate patients who are admitted to the hospital before and after surgery.
ER: take calls from ER doctors who are consulting for possible surgical admission. Depending on the subspecialty, plastics call can be pretty light. One example of the need for urgent plastic surgery consultation is hand trauma.
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Sydney’s Answer
I am not a surgeon but I have shadowed a few plastic reconstructive surgeons. I highly recommend you ask to shadow someone in your city or state to get your own opinion on what their day-to-day looks like. From what I have seen, plastic/reconstructive surgeons spend a lot of time having patient consults. This is where the surgeon gets to know the patient and what operation they want to have done. The surgeon will evaluate the area in question and discuss the surgical options to help the patient reach the desired aesthetic. Less time is devoted to actual operations, but it still takes up over 20% of the surgeon's time. There are also follow-up appointments after every operation, for many weeks or months. Hope this helps!
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Estelle’s Answer
Most plastic surgeons are self-employed, so that really depends on your preferences. If you want to work all the time, that is an option. If you want to have more of a work-life balance, that is an option as well.
Plastic surgeons spend a certain amount of time in their offices and a certain amount of time in the operating room. Factors influencing this are personal preference, operating room time, and how busy the practice is.
Plastic surgeons spend a certain amount of time in their offices and a certain amount of time in the operating room. Factors influencing this are personal preference, operating room time, and how busy the practice is.
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Plastic surgeons divide time between the operating room and clinic. Most plastic surgeons will have about 2 days of clinic a week and 2 days in the operating room.