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What are some of the requirements jobs are looking for in order to become a reconstructive surgeon?
I've been wanting to get into this career field for a while and thought it'd be nice to ask someone with experience in it.
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Bruce’s Answer
Specializing in Plastic Surgery or Reconstructive Surgery usually requires 6 years of training after medical school (4 years) in the United States. The training programs are different in different countries. In the US the training starts with general surgery for a few years, followed by training specifically in plastics. There are also fellowships following Plastic Surgery residency which can add additional years. So, college is 4 years, medical school 4 years, plastics residency 6 years, + possible fellowship = 14 years plus after high school. The requirements are different for different reconstructive surgical jobs, and vary from institution to institution. Some will require board certification (a detailed exam after residency), possibly certain experience and so forth.
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Joshua’s Answer
Fred is correct. Generally speaking 4yr Bachelors, 4yrs medical school, then it gets interesting with residency!
Many different specialties do reconstructive surgeries.
Plastic surgery is the most common specialty for this, at 6 years integrated training or a general surgery residency +plastics fellowship. Other than that training differs by body part. Facial plastics might be done by a dentist-doctor(OMFS), hands reconstruction by an orthopedic surgeon, burns by a general surgeon with a burn fellowship. Urology and ob/gyn also do a fair bit in this field. ENTs(Ears, nose, and throat) do some. Reconstructive ophthalmology(eyes) is even a thing you can do a fellowship in.
In summary, plastic surgeons do the most, but almost all surgical specialties can specialize in this with their part of the body.
Many different specialties do reconstructive surgeries.
Plastic surgery is the most common specialty for this, at 6 years integrated training or a general surgery residency +plastics fellowship. Other than that training differs by body part. Facial plastics might be done by a dentist-doctor(OMFS), hands reconstruction by an orthopedic surgeon, burns by a general surgeon with a burn fellowship. Urology and ob/gyn also do a fair bit in this field. ENTs(Ears, nose, and throat) do some. Reconstructive ophthalmology(eyes) is even a thing you can do a fellowship in.
In summary, plastic surgeons do the most, but almost all surgical specialties can specialize in this with their part of the body.
Updated
Fred’s Answer
I am not a doctor, but i'd imagine you need at minimum a bachelors degree, then med school, then several years of residency, internships, and specialization trainings.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Joseph