Plastic surgeons perform operations that transform bodies and lives. If you’re curious about how to become a plastic surgeon, our guide lays out the steps to launch your career in this medical specialty.
The plastic surgery field encompasses an array of procedures that alter a patient’s appearance for aesthetic or functional purposes. Aspiring plastic surgeons need physical dexterity, interpersonal skills, attention to detail and artistic vision, along with the drive and stamina required for the lengthy, often grueling training period.
Considering how many years it takes to become a plastic surgeon, along with the formidable level of academic attainment the profession demands, this job isn’t for everyone. However, if you’re up to the challenge, plastic surgery can provide a higher-than-average income in a complex, stimulating field.
What Is a Plastic Surgeon?
The word “plastic” in “plastic surgery” does not refer to the synthetic polymer known as plastic, nor does it mean “artificial.” Instead, the term derives from the Greek word plastikos, signifying something that can be shaped or formed. Thus, plastic surgeons are doctors who shape the human body by surgical means.
Responsibilities
Plastic surgeons consult with patients to explore surgery options, risks and outcomes. They perform elective cosmetic procedures such as face lifts, liposuction and breast augmentation. They also perform reconstructive surgery to improve physical function; restore a patient’s appearance; and repair damage from trauma, disease, burns and congenital or developmental abnormalities.
Work Environment
Plastic surgeons work in healthcare settings like hospitals and private offices. Hospital surgeons may work odd or long hours, but plastic surgeons in private practices typically see patients on a scheduled basis during regular business hours. Some plastic surgeons work abroad through nongovernmental organizations to provide reconstructive care to communities in need.
How To Become a Plastic Surgeon
Preparing for any medical career can be lengthy, but exactly how long does it take to become a plastic surgeon? While every student’s path differs, most plastic surgeons need 14 years or more to complete their education and training. Explore each step in detail below.
Take STEAM Classes in High School
To prepare for rigorous college and medical school coursework, challenge yourself by pursuing advanced science and math classes. Since plastic surgery demands a well-developed aesthetic sense, consider adding art courses as well.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Plastic surgeon education requirements start with a four-year undergraduate degree. Aspiring doctors often earn a bachelor’s in biology, physical science or a related field, but you can apply to medical school with any major as long as you complete prerequisite coursework. Many institutions offer a pre-med track that covers typical med school prerequisites.
Medical school admission is competitive, so a strong undergraduate GPA is critical. To strengthen your application, you can build clinical experience through job shadowing, volunteering, working in a healthcare setting or assisting with faculty research.
Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)®
All medical school applicants in the U.S. and Canada must pass this multiple-choice test. Most students take the MCAT the year before they plan to enter med school. The exam, which takes 7.5 hours, assesses students’ knowledge and competency in biology, chemistry, social science and critical reasoning.
Attend Medical School
To become a doctor, you must complete medical school. Most med school programs last four years, with the first two years dedicated to laying a broad foundation in medical science through classroom and lab instruction. During clinical rotations, which typically occur in the third and fourth years, med students engage in supervised patient care, gaining experience across various medical specialties.
Complete a Plastic Surgery Residency
After medical school, expect to spend several years working as a resident. Becoming a surgeon—including a plastic surgeon—demands a longer residency than many other specialties.
Medical school graduates find residency placements through a process called matching. If you match directly into a plastic surgery residency after med school, you can pursue a six-year integrated program that combines plastic surgery training with general surgery prerequisites.
You can also fulfill prerequisites through an independent residency in general surgery or certain approved specialties. If you follow this route, you then enter a separate three-year plastic surgery residency, completing a total of at least five years of training.
Obtain Licensure
Like other doctors, plastic surgeons need a state license to practice. Requirements vary by state, but all licensure candidates must hold a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree.
Candidates must also pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination® or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination. Both exams are used nationwide and consist of three parts. Candidates usually take the first two parts during medical school and the third during residency.
Consider a Fellowship
Typically lasting one year, plastic surgery fellowships allow you to gain training and experience in specialized subfields. Fellowships fall into five major categories: aesthetic, burn, craniofacial, microsurgery and hand surgery. You can also apply for interdisciplinary fellowships in fields like gender surgery.
Consider Certification
Board certification demonstrates that a doctor meets the highest professional standards for their specialty area. Professional certification is voluntary for plastic surgeons but can provide patients with additional assurance that their doctor has the training and expertise to provide safe, effective care.
Plastic Surgeon Salary and Job Outlook
Many of the highest-paying jobs in the United States are in medicine, and plastic surgery is no exception. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes plastic surgeons in the broad category of “surgeons, all other” with a median annual income of $239,200 or more as of 2022.
Some sources place a plastic surgeon’s income even higher: The medical professional network Doximity’s 2023 compensation report lists plastic surgery as the fourth most lucrative medical specialty in the country, with an average annual salary of $571,373.
The BLS projects job growth of 3% from 2022 to 2032 for physicians and surgeons in general—on par with the average for all occupations. However, industry sources indicate increasing demand for plastic surgery, especially cosmetic procedures, which may fuel faster growth in this field than in other medical specialties. For example, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a 19% increase in cosmetic surgical procedures from 2019 to 2022.
Plastic Surgeon Specializations
As a plastic surgeon, you can specialize in many different subfields, including:
- Cosmetic surgery
- Gender-affirming surgery
- Hand and peripheral nerve surgery
- Oncologic plastic surgery
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Craniofacial surgery
- Reconstructive surgery
- Microsurgery
Certifications for Plastic Surgeons
While several organizations offer credentials for plastic surgeons, many professionals consider board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), one of 24 boards that make up the American Board of Medical Specialties, the gold standard in the United States.
ABPS certification candidates must complete either a six-year integrated plastic surgery residency or an approved specialty plus a three-year independent plastic surgery residency totaling at least five years.
Candidates must also hold a valid medical license and pass a computer-based written exam and an in-person oral exam. Once certified, surgeons engage in continuous certification on a five-year cycle. The ABPS also offers board certification in hand surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Becoming a Plastic Surgeon
How long does it take to become a plastic surgeon?
Plastic surgeons typically complete about 14 years of schooling and training. This process includes a four-year bachelor’s degree, four years in medical school and a six-year residency. Pursuing a subspecialty fellowship can further extend this timeline.
What degree is best for a plastic surgeon?
Plastic surgeons must earn an MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school. Many pre-med undergraduates pursue majors like biology or chemistry. However, you can enter medical school with a bachelor’s in any subject as long as you complete coursework prerequisites.
How long is a cosmetic surgery fellowship?
Fellowships in plastic surgery subspecialties, including cosmetic surgery fields like facial rejuvenation, liposuction and general aesthetic surgery, typically last one year. Professionals may complete more than one fellowship.
What are the benefits of being a plastic surgeon?
Plastic surgeons typically earn high salaries, often exceeding the national median income by hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. Many also enjoy the stimulation of working in a cutting-edge medical specialty and find satisfaction in improving patients’ lives.
