What Kind of Education Is Needed for Plastic Surgeons?

Plastic surgeons are doctors who do reconstructive surgery. While many plastic surgeons are involved in cosmetic reconstruction, such as face-lifts, many others reconstruct faces and bodies after accidents or for those who have physical defects. According to Education-Portal.com, plastic surgeons must undergo years of rigorous training before being able to practice.

Identification

• Plastic surgeons must not only attend four years of medical school following their undergraduate studies---they also must undergo plastic surgeon specialty training and complete residencies before being able to practice. Plastic surgeons must learn about the complexities of the skin, the muscles and the skeleton, as they're often called upon to perform skin grafts and musculoskeletal reconstruction.

Early Schooling

• According to Education-Portal.com, to properly become a plastic surgeon, you must have a strong academic record in your undergraduate studies, as well as achieve high scores on your Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The next step is admittance to a four-year medical college. During these four years, you'll not only learn biology, anatomy and pathology but also take some specialized courses in plastic surgery and spend time working hands-on with patients.

Residency

• After graduating from a medical program, potential plastic surgeons must complete a residency program. According to Education-Portal.com, these programs take five years to complete and at least two of these years must be doing a plastic surgery residency. These residencies are important because aspiring surgeons receive guidance from veteran plastic surgeons and practical experience working with patients.

Testing

• Once the residency has been completed, you must pass an exam administered by the American Board of Medical Specialties. If you pass, you'll be a certified plastic surgeon. However, if you're planning to specialize in specific areas of plastic surgery, such as breast reconstruction or with a concentration on the head and neck, you'll be required to complete an extra year as a resident.

Significance

• According to Education-Portal.com, all these years of schooling will pay off once you become a certified surgeon. The average salary for surgeons in 2008 was $206,770, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was a 22 percent growth in the job field between 2008 and 2010.