A Plastic Surgeon's Educational Journey

With many plastic surgeonsto choose from, along with a few quacks caught in the mix, it is hard to discern who is credible and not. Spotting the surgeon's diploma on the wall may not give you enough assurance, because there are other factors to consider. Sometimes, being doubtful can save you from being treated by the wrong surgeon with the wrong procedures. As such, you have to delve deeper into the surgeon's educational and professional background. For professionals to legally practice plastic surgery in Los Angeles and other cities, they must complete a curriculum that lasts for at least eight years: four years of undergraduate study, two years of preclinical training, and two years of clinical experience. There is no specific undergraduate degree required to get to medical school, but subjects like biology and chemistry are required for preclinical study. It is during the preclinical years that they tackle a more thorough understanding of the human body as well as medical care. The clinical years of the entire curriculum is the internship period for aspiring plastic surgeons. During this time, they do rounds in medical centers where they get involved in real-time surgery as required by the curriculum.

Experience is the best teacher, so the saying goes. Real-time exposure is the best way for aspiring surgeons to learn the ropes more quickly. That way, they will know what lies ahead of them when they graduate. Learning does not stop upon completing the eight-year course. Surgeons still need to undergo a period of residency. For this part of the program, schools offer three-year and six-year residency programs. The six-year program is a combination of general and plastic surgery. On the other hand, the three-year residency program allows surgeons to practice general and plastic surgery separately. Furthermore, plastic surgeons have to be registered in accordance with federal and state laws. They must pass any of two licensure exams for them to be registered as legitimate plastic surgeons. Medical bodies oversee and regulate the licensure process to ensure that only qualified practitioners make it to the master list of certified doctors. Patients can check with these certifying bodies for a list of legitimate plastic surgery practitioners. Extensive study and residency are what distinguish the most qualified plastic surgeons.Every time you visit a facility for plastic surgery in Los Angeles or another area, think about what these professionals have gone through. Always go to a reliable, certified, and credible plastic surgeon for all your beauty needs.