Plastic Surgeon

Duties & Responsibilities:

Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to correct problems caused by burns, traumatic injuries, congenital abnormalities, developmental abnormalities, infection and disease, and cancer or tumors. While the general purpose of reconstructive plastic surgery is to improve function, it may also be performed to restore or approximate a normal appearance.

Salary:  $285,000- $501,000+

Education:

The first two years of medical school, referred to as the pre-clinical years, teach students the fundamentals of body systems, diseases and patient care. The final two years are the clinical years and place students in healthcare facilities to perform clinical rotations. Surgery is a required rotation and some schools offer clerkship in plastic surgery.

After graduating from medical school, individuals typically have two options when selecting residency programs. Some schools offer combined general and plastic surgery programs that last around six years, while others offer 2- or 3-year plastic surgery residencies independently and require individuals to first complete at least three years in general surgery residencies.